Sports rivalries are rarely just about what happens on the field. The greatest ones carry the weight of history, politics, religion, class, geography and national identity, turning ordinary games into events that can command the attention of millions and, in some cases, entire countries.

Ranking them is inevitably subjective, but the rivalries below are judged on a combination of intensity, longevity, global reach, cultural significance, competitiveness, iconic moments and their ability to remain relevant across generations.

1. India vs. Pakistan, cricket

Few sporting contests carry the emotional and political weight of India vs. Pakistan.

The rivalry is rooted in the 1947 Partition of British India, an event that created two nations amid mass displacement and devastating violence. Wars, the Kashmir dispute and decades of diplomatic tension have added layers of significance to virtually every cricket match between the countries.

India and Pakistan first met in Test cricket in 1952, but political tensions have repeatedly interrupted bilateral competition. Today, their meetings are largely confined to major tournaments such as the World Cup, Champions Trophy and Asia Cup, making every encounter even more valuable.

The numbers do not fully explain the rivalry. A single match can dominate television schedules, social media and public conversation across South Asia and among millions in the global diaspora. Matches have attracted audiences measured in the hundreds of millions, while the sporting stakes are often magnified by national pride.

There have been countless memorable encounters, including Javed Miandad’s last-ball six against India in the 1986 Austral-Asia Cup final and India’s dramatic victory over Pakistan in the 2007 T20 World Cup final. India have also maintained an extraordinary record against Pakistan in the men’s ODI World Cup.

Cricket has occasionally served as a form of diplomacy, providing rare opportunities for contact between the two countries. But political and security concerns continue to limit regular bilateral cricket.

The rivalry’s combination of sporting passion, geopolitical tension, enormous audiences and national identity makes it arguably the most emotionally charged contest in world sport.

2. Real Madrid vs. Barcelona, football

El Clasico is the world’s most recognizable club football rivalry and arguably the most commercially powerful fixture in sport.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have been competing for more than a century, but their rivalry represents much more than a battle between two elite football clubs. Real Madrid are associated with the Spanish capital and, historically, central Spanish power, while Barcelona have long been intertwined with Catalan identity and the idea captured by the club’s famous “Mes que un club” slogan.

The political dimension became especially pronounced during the Franco era, when Catalan cultural expression was restricted and Barcelona increasingly became a symbol of regional identity.

On the field, the rivalry has produced some of football’s greatest players and managers. Alfredo Di Stefano, Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have all featured in its history.

The 1943 Copa del Rey semifinal, when Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 11-1 in the second leg, remains one of the fixture’s most infamous results. Decades later, the rivalry reached another level during the Messi-Ronaldo era, when Barcelona and Madrid regularly battled for La Liga and European supremacy.

Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho added another layer of drama, while the emergence of new generations of stars has ensured that the rivalry continues to evolve.

The sheer global reach of El Clasico, combined with its sporting quality and political and cultural history, puts it near the top of any serious list of sporting rivalries.

3. Boca Juniors vs. River Plate, football

If El Clasico is the world’s biggest club rivalry, Argentina’s Superclasico may be its fiercest.

Boca Juniors and River Plate emerged from Buenos Aires and developed contrasting identities that have become central to the rivalry. Boca’s roots in the working-class La Boca neighborhood helped create its image as the club of the people, while River’s move to the more affluent Nunez district contributed to its “Millionaires” reputation.

Their first official meeting came in 1913, and the rivalry has since become deeply embedded in Argentine culture.

The atmosphere is central to the experience. Boca’s La Bombonera is famous for its deafening noise, while River’s Monumental produces an equally intimidating spectacle. Supporters treat the fixture as far more than a football match.

The rivalry has also had a darker side. The 1968 Puerta 12 disaster, in which 71 fans died, remains one of the darkest moments in Argentine football history. In 2018, violence surrounding the Copa Libertadores final forced the second leg to be moved from Buenos Aires to Madrid.

The clubs have produced generations of Argentine icons, including Diego Maradona, Juan Roman Riquelme and Carlos Tevez for Boca, and Alfredo Di Stefano and other greats for River.

The Superclasico’s combination of class, identity, history, atmosphere and raw emotion makes it one of the most intense rivalries in sport.

4. Celtic vs. Rangers, football

Scotland’s Old Firm rivalry is one of football’s most historically complicated contests.

Celtic were founded in the late 19th century with strong links to Glasgow’s Irish Catholic immigrant community. Rangers developed associations with Protestant and unionist traditions. Those religious and political identities became intertwined with football, producing a rivalry that extended far beyond the sport.

Celtic and Rangers have dominated Scottish football for generations, meeting repeatedly in league and cup competitions and regularly competing for the country’s biggest trophies.

The fixture has produced extraordinary results, including Celtic’s 7-1 League Cup final victory in 1957, but its significance has never been limited to the score.

Sectarianism has contributed to violence and disorder around some matches, prompting years of efforts by clubs, authorities and community organizations to combat discriminatory behavior.

Despite those efforts, the Old Firm remains one of Europe’s most intense domestic rivalries. The frequency of the meetings only adds to its importance. Unlike many international rivalries that occur only occasionally, Celtic and Rangers can face each other several times in a season.

Its sporting dominance, religious history, political undertones and extraordinary atmosphere ensure its place among the world’s great rivalries.

5. Manchester United vs. Liverpool, football

Manchester United and Liverpool represent more than two of England’s most successful football clubs. Their rivalry reflects a long-standing sporting and economic competition between two historic northern cities.

The clubs first met competitively in the 19th century, and the rivalry grew as both became dominant forces in English football.

Liverpool established themselves as England’s leading club during the 1970s and 1980s, winning domestic and European trophies under a succession of successful managers. Manchester United eventually took over that role under Alex Ferguson, dominating the Premier League era and repeatedly challenging Liverpool’s status as England’s most successful club.

The rivalry has produced unforgettable matches and some of the biggest names in English football, including Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool’s 7-0 victory over United at Anfield in 2023 remains one of the most extraordinary recent results, while United have enjoyed their own emphatic victories over their historic rivals.

Unlike some rivalries driven primarily by geography or politics, Manchester United-Liverpool has been sustained by a century of competition for trophies, prestige and national attention.

It remains one of the most watched fixtures in English football and one of the sport’s biggest club rivalries worldwide.

6. Australia vs. England, cricket

The Ashes is one of the rare sporting rivalries whose name is almost as famous as the teams involved.

The story began in 1882 after Australia defeated England at The Oval. A British newspaper published a mock obituary declaring English cricket dead and suggesting that its ashes would be taken to Australia.

The joke became a legend, and the Ashes urn became one of the most recognizable trophies in international sport.

More than 140 years later, the rivalry remains the ultimate test of cricketing supremacy between the two countries.

It has produced some of the game’s greatest players and most dramatic moments, including Don Bradman, Shane Warne, Steve Waugh and Ben Stokes. The 1932-33 Bodyline series became one of cricket’s most controversial episodes, while the 2005 Ashes remains one of the most celebrated series in modern Test cricket.

Unlike India-Pakistan, the rivalry is not defined by geopolitical hostility. Its power comes from tradition, history, national pride and the extraordinary importance attached to Test cricket in both countries.

The Ashes has survived changing formats, changing generations and changing cricketing cultures. Few sporting rivalries can match that longevity.

7. New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox, baseball

The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is arguably the defining rivalry in American professional sports.

The teams first met in 1903, but the relationship took on its enduring mythology after Boston sold Babe Ruth to New York following the 1919 season.

Ruth went on to become one of baseball’s greatest stars with the Yankees, while Boston endured an 86-year World Series drought. The resulting “Curse of the Bambino” became one of the most famous narratives in American sports.

The rivalry has generated generations of unforgettable moments. Bucky Dent’s home run in the 1978 American League East playoff, Aaron Boone’s 2003 walk-off homer and Boston’s stunning comeback in the 2004 American League Championship Series are among its defining chapters.

That 2004 comeback remains particularly historic. Boston became the first MLB team to recover from a 3-0 deficit in a postseason series, eventually winning the World Series and ending decades of frustration.

Geography also matters. New York and Boston are relatively close, their fan bases are deeply entrenched and both cities have enormous media markets.

The Yankees and Red Sox have played thousands of times, and even ordinary regular-season games can carry the atmosphere of postseason contests.

8. Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers, basketball

The Celtics-Lakers rivalry is the NBA’s great historical rivalry.

The two franchises have met a record 12 times in the NBA Finals, creating a basketball version of a national championship showdown between Boston’s traditional East Coast identity and Los Angeles’ Hollywood glamor.

The rivalry has been defined by generations of superstars.

Bill Russell’s Celtics dominated the 1960s, while Wilt Chamberlain and the Lakers repeatedly tried to break Boston’s hold over the league. In the 1980s, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson transformed the rivalry and helped push the NBA into a new era of national and international popularity.

The rivalry was renewed in the 2000s through Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol’s Lakers against Boston’s trio of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. The teams met in the 2008 and 2010 NBA Finals, splitting the championships.

Boston and Los Angeles have combined for 35 NBA championships, giving the rivalry an extraordinary historical foundation.

Even when the teams are not simultaneously competing for a title, the matchup carries a significance few other NBA games can match.

9. Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal, tennis

Federer vs. Nadal was different from the other rivalries on this list because it was not built around cities, nations or opposing fan cultures.

It was built around two extraordinary athletes with contrasting styles who repeatedly pushed each other toward greater heights.

They met 40 times between 2004 and 2019, with Nadal winning 24 times and Federer 16.

Nadal’s heavy topspin, physicality and left-handed forehand repeatedly tested Federer’s elegant all-court game and one-handed backhand. Their contrasting styles were particularly dramatic on different surfaces, with Nadal dominating on clay and Federer enjoying greater success on grass and hard courts.

Their 2008 Wimbledon final is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in tennis history. Nadal won 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7 in a contest lasting nearly five hours.

The rivalry also produced memorable Grand Slam finals at the Australian Open and French Open, while their rivalry helped define the greatest era in men’s tennis alongside Novak Djokovic.

What separated Federer and Nadal from many traditional rivalries was the respect between the competitors. Their relationship evolved from fierce competition into genuine friendship, giving the rivalry an unusual emotional dimension.

Together, they won 42 Grand Slam singles titles, and their matches remain among the defining sporting memories of the 21st century.

10. Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier, boxing

Some rivalries are remembered for a single fight. Ali and Frazier are remembered for three.

Their trilogy between 1971 and 1975 produced some of the most important fights in boxing history.

Frazier shocked the world in the first meeting, defeating Ali by unanimous decision in the “Fight of the Century.” Ali won the rematch three years later, setting the stage for their final encounter.

The 1975 “Thrilla in Manila” became the defining chapter. Ali and Frazier fought through extraordinary physical punishment before Frazier’s corner stopped the bout after the 14th round.

The rivalry was intensified by Ali’s personality and relentless verbal attacks, but its significance went beyond boxing. Race, politics, celebrity and the changing social landscape of the United States all formed part of the backdrop.

The two men later developed a more complicated relationship, with Frazier carrying resentment toward Ali’s public insults for years.

Their trilogy remains the benchmark for an individual sporting rivalry based on courage, personality and competitive greatness.

Other rivalries that belong in the conversation

Several major rivalries narrowly miss the top 10.

Brazil vs. Argentina is one of international football’s most prestigious contests, fueled by generations of South American stars and national pride. The rivalry has featured Pele, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and countless other icons.

Michigan vs. Ohio State, known simply as “The Game,” is one of the defining rivalries in American college football. Its annual place on the calendar, enormous stadiums and implications for the Big Ten and College Football Playoff make it a fixture of U.S. sports culture.

The Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears is the NFL’s oldest continuous rivalry and has endured through more than a century of professional football.

Army vs. Navy carries a different kind of significance, with military tradition, ceremony and national symbolism making the annual college football game unique.

Lewis Hamilton vs. Max Verstappen also deserves consideration among modern rivalries. Their battles, particularly during the 2021 Formula 1 season, created one of the sport’s most intense recent chapters.

World football’s regional powerhouses are considering a vote of no confidence against FIFA President Gianni Infantino after his proposal to sell private investors a stake in the World Cup angered several confederations, senior figures familiar with the discussions told Reuters.

UEFA, European football’s governing body, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean, are weighing the move, the sources said.

Reuters could find no previous instance in FIFA’s 122-year history of its Congress holding a no-confidence vote against a sitting president.

“There is no way out,” one source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions. “Either he goes the peaceful way and decides not to stand in March, or he goes the hard way,” the person said, referring to a possible no-confidence vote.

Under FIFA’s statutes, the FIFA Council can convene an Extraordinary Congress at any time. It is also required to call one if at least one-fifth of FIFA’s 211 member associations submit a written request specifying the items they want placed on the agenda.

An Extraordinary Congress must then be convened within three months, with each attending association holding one vote. FIFA’s statutes contain no specific provision governing a no-confidence vote against its president.

When contacted by Reuters for comment, FIFA referred to a previous statement saying it “will not support, facilitate or tolerate any process concerning the election of the FIFA president that is inconsistent with FIFA’s Statutes, democratic procedures and established governance framework.”

UEFA did not comment directly on whether a no-confidence vote was under discussion, instead referring Reuters to its earlier statement that a review of FIFA’s leadership and governance should be “thorough and fundamental” and that “no option should be off the table.”

CONCACAF declined to comment directly, referring Reuters to an earlier joint statement with UEFA and the AFC accusing FIFA’s leadership of a fundamental breach of trust. The AFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Infantino has said he intends to seek reelection at the scheduled March 2027 FIFA Congress and retains significant support among FIFA’s member associations, including from Africa’s confederation, CAF.

FIFA has apologized to its member associations for mistakes in handling the proposal, and last week six Arab football associations, including Qatar and 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco, publicly backed Infantino. FIFA’s leadership reaffirmed its full support for Infantino after a crisis meeting in Morocco earlier this month.

A senior figure close to the matter told Reuters that while a no-confidence vote was favored by the three confederations, there were fears an unsuccessful challenge would strengthen Infantino, demonstrate his continuing electoral support and bolster his position ahead of next year’s scheduled presidential election.

Infantino has come under intense pressure since the collapse of his proposal to sell a minority stake in a new FIFA commercial entity to private investors. That entity would have controlled the commercial rights to the World Cup, the game’s flagship event.

FIFA says its revenue for the 2023-26 cycle is expected to exceed $15 billion, with the bulk of that generated in the 2026 World Cup year.

Three of FIFA’s six continental confederations, UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF, opposed the proposal and have since sharply criticized Infantino’s handling of it, citing failures of transparency, consultation and governance.

The crisis deepened this week with the departure of FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour, who had criticized the investment proposal and said staff had been “deceived” over what he described as the project of one person. FIFA gave no reason for his departure.

FIFA Vice President Sandor Csanyi withdrew his support for Infantino this week, saying Lamour’s departure was the “final straw.”

Support remains

Infantino’s opponents, however, face significant obstacles.

No challenger has publicly stepped forward ahead of the Nov. 18 nomination deadline, and Infantino retains backing from parts of FIFA’s membership.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe said last week that Infantino continued to have Africa’s support and that his future should be decided by FIFA’s members at the election.

Under the abandoned investment proposal, associations would have been able to access up to $20 million in one-time capital for infrastructure, coaching, national teams, competitions, grassroots football and the women’s game.

“Those who are ready to fight Infantino at the ballot box should come out into the open,” Football Association of Malawi President Fleetwood Haiya told Reuters last week.

“They should tell us what they are going to bring. As the Malawi FA, I need to understand what they are going to bring to Malawi.”

Club leverage

Pressure also extends beyond those with a FIFA vote.

European Football Clubs (EFC), chaired by Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and representing more than 800 clubs, is aligned with UEFA and others seeking change at FIFA, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

EFC has warned FIFA that its members could refuse to take part in future men’s and women’s Club World Cups unless their concerns over governance and the clubs’ relationship with FIFA are addressed.

Clubs have no FIFA vote but wield considerable sporting and commercial leverage.

Michael Payne, the former International Olympic Committee marketing chief, said even an electoral victory for Infantino would not necessarily resolve the divisions.

“It’s all very well to sneak through with a 51% majority with many of the tiny nations but all of the football superpowers against you. How do you run the organization?” Payne told Reuters.

No FIFA sponsor has publicly criticized Infantino over the crisis.

“Sponsors are raising their eyebrows saying, ‘How can you manage to have such a successful World Cup and then shoot yourself in the foot afterward?’” Payne said.

For the senior figure familiar with the discussions around the no-confidence vote, the damage is already irreversible.

“You can’t put the ketchup back in the bottle.”

Galatasaray have signed Russian attacking midfielder Aleksey Batrakov from Lokomotiv Moscow on a five-year contract, adding one of Russia’s most promising young players to the Turkish champions’ squad.

The Istanbul club will pay Lokomotiv 25 million euros ($29.19 million) for the 21-year-old, while the Russian club will also receive 15% of the profit from Batrakov’s next transfer. Batrakov will earn a guaranteed net salary of 3.25 million euros per season under a contract running through the 2030-31 campaign.

The move makes Batrakov the first Russian player in Galatasaray’s 121-year history and the 218th foreign footballer to represent the club since the Turkish top flight began in 1959.

Galatasaray had previously signed players from 54 countries across six continents, with Brazil accounting for the largest share. The club has brought in 25 Brazilian players, followed by 16 from the former Yugoslavia and 15 from Romania.

Batrakov’s arrival marks a notable new chapter in that history as Galatasaray add their first Russian player to a squad strengthened during an ambitious summer transfer window.

A product of Lokomotiv Moscow’s academy, Batrakov emerged as one of the standout young players in Russian football. He can operate as a No. 10 or on the right wing and enjoyed a breakthrough 2025-26 campaign, scoring 17 goals in 36 appearances across the Russian Premier League and Russian Cup. Anadolu Agency reported that he also contributed nine assists in the league last season.

He began the new season with one goal and one assist in five appearances before completing his move to Istanbul.

Batrakov also has established himself with the Russian national team. He made his senior debut against Brunei on Nov. 15, 2024, scoring in his first appearance. He has since earned 12 international caps and scored four goals, according to Anadolu Agency’s report.

The transfer represents Batrakov’s first move outside Russia and a major step in his development. He arrived in Istanbul on Thursday and was greeted by Galatasaray officials and supporters after landing at Ataturk Airport with his family.

Speaking after his arrival, Batrakov said he was excited about beginning the next stage of his career and was eager to experience Galatasaray’s renowned support.

“This is an exciting process for me. It will be my first experience abroad. I hope everything will be very good for me and the club,” Batrakov said.

He added that Galatasaray supporters are known as some of the most passionate fans in Europe and said he wanted to get on the field and meet them as soon as possible.

The deal was subsequently formalized, with Galatasaray notifying the Public Disclosure Platform that it would pay Lokomotiv 25 million euros and give the Russian club 15% of any profit from Batrakov’s next transfer. The club also confirmed the five-year contract and his annual net salary of 3.25 million euros.

Batrakov joins Galatasaray after the club also added French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu during the summer window, as the reigning Turkish champions continue to build a squad capable of competing domestically and in Europe.

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The Turkish Süper Lig has become one of the biggest stories of the 2026 summer transfer window, with established stars choosing Türkiye despite Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer remaining among football’s most lucrative destinations.

Mohamed Salah, Romelu Lukaku, Mason Greenwood and Leandro Trossard headline the arrivals, while Fenerbahçe have also signed Manchester City defender Nathan Ake.

Salah’s move to Trabzonspor is the clearest example. The 34-year-old Egyptian captain left Liverpool after nine seasons and joined as a free agent on a two-year contract.

Trabzonspor disclosed a guaranteed package of 17 million euros ($19.9 million) per season, including a 10 million euros salary and 7 million euros annual signing payment, plus bonuses and 20% of revenue from products sold under his name.

Fenerbahçe have been even more aggressive. The Istanbul club signed Greenwood from Marseille for 39 million euros, payable in three installments over three years. The 24-year-old agreed to a four-year contract after scoring 37 league goals in two seasons in France.

Lukaku followed from Napoli on a one-year deal with an option for another season. The fee was undisclosed, although reports put it at about 6 million euros plus bonuses. Beşiktaş then added Trossard from Arsenal for a reported 18 million euros.

Together, the moves make the Süper Lig look like football’s latest destination for major stars.

But the boom is concentrated around Türkiye’s traditional four biggest clubs: Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor.

They are not simply collecting famous players. They are chasing the Süper Lig title, European qualification and deeper runs in UEFA competitions.

Galatasaray are defending four consecutive championships, while Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor are spending heavily to close the gap.

The spending is striking because of the clubs’ financial situation.

Türkiye’s four major clubs carried combined debt of about 85 billion Turkish lira as of May 31, 2026, equivalent to roughly 1.6 billion euros at late-July exchange rates.

Their combined operating losses were about 24 billion lira, with Galatasaray the only one to record a net profit, according to financial statements filed through the Public Disclosure Platform.

Currency also matters.

Clubs with largely lira-based costs can benefit when they generate significant euro income through UEFA competitions and international commercial agreements. A weak lira can make those revenues more valuable against domestic expenses.

Türkiye’s biggest advantage over Saudi Arabia and MLS, however, is European football.

Saudi clubs can often offer more money, while MLS provides substantial salaries and a different lifestyle. Neither offers UEFA competition.

Türkiye does.

For the 2026-27 season, Galatasaray earned a direct Champions League league-phase place as Turkish champion. Fenerbahçe entered Champions League qualifying, while Trabzonspor reached the Europa League playoff round after winning the Turkish Cup. Beşiktaş also entered the Europa League qualifying path.

For players who still want to compete on Europe’s biggest club stage, that matters.

Türkiye’s biggest clubs also have some of Europe’s most intense supporter cultures. Packed stadiums, enormous expectations and fierce rivalries create an environment familiar to players who have spent their careers at major European clubs.

More than 20,000 Beşiktaş supporters attended Trossard’s signing ceremony at Tüpraş Stadium, underlining the attention generated by a marquee arrival.

Türkiye has also built a reputation as a place where established stars can revive or extend their careers. Gheorghe Hagi, Wesley Sneijder, Didier Drogba and Robin van Persie helped establish that tradition, while Victor Osimhen and Leroy Sane have more recently shown the league can attract players still capable of performing at the highest level.

The current wave is different because the arrivals are not all near retirement.

Greenwood is 24, Trossard is 31, Lukaku is 33 and Salah is 34. They have different motivations. Greenwood sees Fenerbahçe as a platform for the next stage of his career. Lukaku is looking to regain momentum after an injury-hit season. Trossard left a Premier League champion while still capable of making an impact. Salah has chosen a new challenge without leaving European football.

So why does it feel like everyone is going to Türkiye?

Because the biggest clubs are making major moves at the same time.

Fenerbahçe have Greenwood, Lukaku and Ake. Beşiktaş have Trossard. Trabzonspor have Salah, while Galatasaray remain the domestic powerhouse and continue to build for Europe.

It is not everyone, though. It is mainly four ambitious clubs pursuing the same prizes: the Süper Lig title, Champions League access and European success.

That gives Türkiye a rare middle ground. Saudi Arabia can offer extraordinary money, but not UEFA competition. MLS offers money and lifestyle, but not Champions League nights in Europe. Türkiye can offer major salaries, enormous crowds and a route to European football.

The financial model remains the biggest question. The four giants carry enormous debts and operating losses, and there is no guarantee their spending will produce the European success needed to justify it.

For now, however, Türkiye has found a powerful recruitment formula: serious money, serious football and the chance to compete on Europe’s biggest stage.

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Former Brazil star Ronaldinho announced Thursday he was making a comeback 11 years later with Italian third-division side Ravenna to try and score “a 300th goal.”

The 46-year-old, who won the World Cup in 2002 and the Ballon d’Or in 2005, ended a glittering career in September 2015 when he played his last official match with Brazilian club Fluminense.

“I’m very happy to be here with friends, we have a team that can do something good,” said the former Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker on the sidelines of his presentation on a beach in Ravenna.

“Will you see me play? I don’t know, only the coach knows that. Coming back to Italy is wonderful, I’m here to help my teammates win.

“As you can see, I’m in shape, I feel good… If I could score my 300th goal, that would be even more beautiful.”

Ronaldinho’s comeback was announced in June on the sidelines of the World Cup in Miami by Ignazio Cipriani, an Italian-American businessman and owner of the club since 2024.

“His objective is romantic, to try to score his last goal,” said Cipriani on Thursday.

“His involvement is not a token gesture or a marketing stunt to get people talking about us.”

Cipriani added that Ronaldinho, who scored 33 goals in his 97 appearances for Brazil, would become a shareholder in the club and would not play against Reggiana on Monday in the Serie C season opener.

Ravenna finished third in Group B of last season’s third-division championship and are aiming for a return to Serie B, where they haven’t played since 2008.

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Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos has denied widespread reports that he converted to Islam, saying he has the “utmost respect” for the religion but that claims he embraced it following his marriage to Moroccan football agent Souhaila El Tahiri are untrue.

The 53-year-old former Real Madrid and Brazil star addressed the rumors in comments to Saudi newspaper Okaz after the claims spread rapidly across social media and news outlets in several countries.

The speculation gained momentum after photographs from Carlos’ wedding circulated online, with some posts portraying the ceremony as evidence that he had converted to Islam.

Other widely shared images were presented as showing Carlos wearing Islamic attire, although a fact-check by Lebanon’s Annahar found that one such image was AI-generated.

How the conversion claim spread

The rumors emerged earlier this week after Turkish media reported that Carlos had allegedly embraced Islam and recited the shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, during a meeting with Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh in Sao Paulo.

The claim was amplified by Turkish lawmaker Ali Şahin, who said on Monday that he had met Hammadeh during a visit to representatives of Brazil’s Muslim community.

According to Şahin, the sheikh told him that Carlos had been in contact with him for some time, had visited him about four weeks earlier and had recited the shahada before embracing Islam. Şahin then publicly congratulated Carlos.

The allegation quickly moved beyond Turkish-language media, spreading through Arabic, English and other language communities.

Social media posts often removed the original attribution or presented the claim as established fact, making it difficult for readers to distinguish between a reported allegation and a confirmed statement from Carlos.

The story also gained traction because of Carlos’ long-standing connection to Turkish football.

The former left back played for Fenerbahçe after joining the Istanbul club in 2007 and later had coaching roles in Türkiye, including with Sivasspor and Akhisar Belediyespor.

Wedding images fuel speculation

The timing of the rumors was closely linked to Carlos’ marriage to El Tahiri, a Moroccan football agent and businesswoman.

News of their relationship and marriage had already emerged earlier in 2026, while photographs from a private wedding celebration later circulated widely online.

The ceremony included elements associated with Islamic and Moroccan traditions, including the presence of a Muslim religious figure and traditional attire.

Those images were quickly interpreted by some social media users as proof that Carlos had converted.

But the photographs did not establish a change in Carlos’ religion. A fact-check published by Annahar found no reliable evidence supporting claims attached to an image that allegedly showed Carlos in Islamic clothing and determined that the image had been generated using artificial intelligence.

The presence of an Islamic ceremony also did not, by itself, establish that Carlos had converted. Reports said the couple incorporated different traditions into their wedding to accommodate the religious backgrounds of their families and guests.

Carlos directly rejects the claims

Carlos has now directly addressed the speculation.

“I have the utmost respect for Islam and it’s wonderful to see my wife praying, but the rumors circulating about me converting to Islam are untrue,” Carlos said, according to Okaz and reports from Saudi Gazette and other outlets.

He also explained that the wedding celebrations were organized in different forms to respect the beliefs of both families.

Carlos said his Catholic family members were accommodated through ceremonies consistent with their beliefs, while ceremonies appropriate for his wife and her Muslim friends and relatives were also held.

His explanation directly challenges the interpretation that the Islamic elements of the wedding represented his own conversion.

Carlos further indicated that he respects different religions and has been learning about other faiths, while making clear that he had not converted to Islam.

He also suggested that if he ever made such a decision, he would announce it himself.

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