Ronaldo celebrates 50 years after scoring first Brazil goal By Thiago Lemos
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Ronaldo turns 50 years old on September 18, 2026, marking the anniversary of his scoring start for the Brazilian national team in Florianopolis. The forward scored the opening goal in a 3-0 victory against Iceland in 1994 during the final preparation match before the squad traveled to the United States for the World Cup.
The national delegation departed from Santa Catarina immediately after beating Iceland. The match took place at Ressacada stadium, which belongs to Avai, marking only the second time the senior national side played in the capital of Santa Catarina. The previous match in Florianopolis happened seven years earlier, in 1987, against Ecuador.
A crowd of 22,800 ticket holders watched Ronaldo score the first of his 62 national team goals at Ressacada.
Ronaldo struck the ball on the half-volley from the edge of the penalty box after an Icelandic clearance fell directly into his path. The shot beat the opposing goalkeeper into the corner of the net.
Zinho added the second goal from a penalty kick before Viola scored to seal the 3-0 result. The 17-year-old striker convinced coach Carlos Alberto Parreira to include him in the final 1994 tournament squad after completing only his second senior international appearance. He secured an attacking roster spot alongside Viola, Bebeto, Romario and Muller.
Brazilian players wore black armbands during the match to honor Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna, who died three days prior. The tribute united the squad.
Carlos Alberto Parreira deployed a starting lineup featuring Zetti, Jorginho, Aldair, Marcio Santos, Branco, Dunga, Mazinho, Paulo Sergio, Zinho, Ronaldo and Viola, before introducing Cafu, Leonardo, Cesar Sampaio, Savio and Tulio Maravilha during the second half of the friendly. Iceland lined up with Birkir Kristinsson, Runnar Kristinsson, Olafur Thordarson, Izurdin Dervic and Kristjan Jonsson across their defensive positions under manager Asgeir Eliasson. Their attacking group included Sigurdur Jonsson, Toddy Orlygsson, Hlynur Stefansson, Arnor Gudjohnsen, Arnar Gunnlaugsson and Eyjolfur Sverrisson. The visitors failed to stop Brazil.
- Brazil defeated Iceland 3-0 in 1994 at Ressacada with goals from Ronaldo, Zinho and Viola.
- Avai beat Corinthians 3-1 in 2009 at the same venue behind two goals from William and one from Leo Gago.
Ronaldo returned to the pitch at Ressacada on November 15, 2009, playing for Corinthians in the 35th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro. Before kickoff, he pressed his footprints into a concrete display on the stadium walk of fame next to Marquinhos.
Avai president Joao Nilson Zunino joked with the players during the sidewalk ceremony about the appearance of their feet. Zunino claimed their feet looked ugly, prompting laughter from spectators gathered around the installation. Avai then beat Corinthians 3-1 during the league match as William scored twice, Leo Gago added one, and Defederico scored for the visitors.
The victory pushed Avai into seventh place in Serie A, three points below the qualification zone for the Copa Libertadores. Corinthians sat in 10th place on the table, having already secured entry into the continental tournament by winning the Copa do Brasil.
Registry delay creates two September birthday dates
Ronaldo receives birthday greetings on both September 18 and September 22 because his father, Nelio Nazario, registered the birth four days late. Hospital records confirm Ronaldo was born on September 18, 1976, four days before his father submitted the paperwork at the notary. His mother, Sonia dos Santos Barata, stated publicly that the family always marks the 18th as the true celebration day.
Sonia noted that Ronaldo fans may celebrate on the 22nd, but her maternal memory belongs strictly to September 18.
