Career
As of 2009-2010 season)
Born in Rome, Lazio region, Ranalli started his career at Roma. He was loaned to Serie C2 side Torres then Arezzo and Nocerina of Serie C1. In summer 2000, he joined Lodigiani in co-ownership, for a nominal fees of 1 million Italian lire.
He then joined Serie C2 side Lanciano in another co-ownership after bought back from Lodigiani.
Cagliari & doping administration
On 26 June 2002, he was bought back by Roma and 2 days later, on 28 June (2 days before the closure of 2001-2002 fiscal year) exchanged with Gianluca Picciau of Serie B side Cagliari in another co-ownership deal. Both players was priced for €3.5million (for 50% rights).
Which later named as one of the victim of doping administration, as Roma also swapped backup players and even youth players with other teams with inflated price, and gained a "profit" of €55billion. Doping administration was Italian media to describe the Italian clubs suspected to use cross-trading (exchange player with same price and contract length) and inflated the price in order to increase the profit of selling player.
In although they did not received real money of selling player, the acquire cost was to amortized proportionality during the player contract (usually multi-year), overall it still appeared a profit in the first year fiscal report, in although most of the nominal value of the registration rights of new signings, were far higher than the fair value.
Thus like took drug to enhance the economic situation. That led to an investigation by prosecutor of Rome for a suspected false accounting in 2004. But Roma was fined €60,000 on 30 October 2007 by Criminal Court of Rome for irregularity on youth players transfer only, as cross trading and inflating the price itself is not illegal, prosecutor failed to prove the purpose behind is illegal against the clubs.
Ranalli made his league debut for the Sardinian side on 28 September 2002, against Genoa, he replaced Mauro Esposito in the 76th minutes. he played the next match in December, also a substitute.
He played 5 more appearances from December to January as subordinate Reggiana
In June 2003, Cagliari gave the remained 50% rights of Picciau to Roma, and Roma also bought back Ranalli for just €50,000.
Ranalli then sold to Reggiana in co-ownership deal for same price. In 2004-2005 season, he returned to Reggiana.
In January 2004, he left for Serie C2 side Cisco Roma (as Cisco Lodigiani) but in February for Giulianova of Serie C1.
Late career
On 31 August 2005, he was signed by Serie C1 side Foggia. In the next season, he returned to Cisco Roma at Serie C2. In 2007-2008 season, he played for Serie C2 side Giulianova.
He was rumored to leave the club in January, and after he played the full match in the 0–0 draw with Poggibonsi on 27 January 2008, he never played again for Giulianova.
In 2008-2009 season, he returned to Lazio region, this time for Lega Pro Seconda Divisione side Isola Liri. In 2009-2010 season, he played for Artena of Eccellenza Lazio.