- Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima celebrated his 47th birthday on September 22nd, 2023.
- 'The Phenomenon' won the CONMEBOL Copa America™ in 1997 and 1999.
Ronaldo took part in three consecutive editions of the CONMEBOL Copa America™, in Uruguay in 1995, in Bolivia in 1997, and in Paraguay in 1999, during which the Brazilian team clinched the title, with the striker standing out as their key player.
Here is an overview of the ten goals scored by the Brazilian star during his spectacular appearances in the world's oldest national team tournament.
– CONMEBOL Copa America™ Bolivia 1997 –
Ronaldo netted his first goal in a CONMEBOL Copa America™ in the opening round of the Group Stage in the 1997 edition, as Brazil secured a 5-0 win against Costa Rica. 'The Phenomenon' made his tournament debut by showcasing his talent with a pair of goals.
The first goal came in the 47th minute of the match, following a run that left him one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Just six minutes later, he scored his second goal by dribbling past a defender inside the penalty area and sending the ball into the far corner of the net.
In the quarterfinals he scored a double again, securing Brazil's place in the semifinals with a 2-0 victory over Paraguay. The first goal came in the 19th minute, with a powerful shot to the goalkeeper's right, and he followed it up with the second goal in the 34th minute, receiving a nice through pass and calmly finishing with only the goalkeeper to beat.
He netted his fifth and last goal of the tournament during the final against Bolivia, a left-footed shot that broke the 1-1 tie in the first half of the championship match. Brazil went on to win 3-1, securing their victory in the CONMEBOL Copa America™ and marking Ronaldo's first championship in the tournament.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3jJAYJ5N74&t=111s
– CONMEBOL Copa America™ Paraguay 1999 –
Two years later, he replicated his brace during Brazil's Group Stage opener, scoring the first and fourth goals in their 7-0 thrash of Venezuela, at the 28th and 62nd minutes, one with each foot.
In the final round of the Group Stage, while wearing the captain's armband, Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 36th minute to secure a 1-0 victory over Chile.
In the quarterfinals, Brazil faced their long-time rival Argentina, who opened the scoring with a goal by Juan Pablo Sorín at the 10-minute mark. Rivaldo levelled the game with a free-kick goal in the 32nd minute, and Ronaldo sealed the score at 2-1 in the 48th minute with a low shot from the edge of the Argentine area.
'The Phenomenon' left his final mark in Brazil's 3-0 victory against Uruguay in the tournament final held at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium, in Asunción. He scored the goal that sealed Brazil's victory in the 46th minute, unleashing a powerful shot into the top corner after receiving a great pass from Rivaldo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyRhUP7TC5k&t=16s
