The Brazilian national soccer team is not in the highlight of the Copa América USA 2024, but one of its biggest stars, Ronaldinho Gaucho, has partnered with the Hard Rock to host the most important stage of the continent’s national team tournament.
The legendary Brazilian icon electrified fans when he stopped by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on his way to Tampa on Wednesday, July 10.
Ronaldinho hosted a party organized by the Hard Rock in Tampa to watch the TV broadcast of the semi-final in which Colombia beat Uruguay 1-0, at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
The 44-year-old star shared the excitement of the match with hundreds of fans who filled the venue. The event was hosted by Fernando Fiore, a television personality widely known as the President of the Sports Republic.
After signing autographs, shirts, balls and everything else they asked for, Ronaldinho chatted with the fans, took selfies with them and hugged a child who cried with emotion when he saw him.
At the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, fans were drawn to the magic of Ronaldinho, two-time FIFA Player of the Year, multiple champion with Paris Saint Germain and Barcelona of Spain and also champion of the Champs and the Copa Libertadores.
Watching the Colombia vs. Uruguay match alongside Ronaldinho, and then the interview and lively conversation with Fiore were an extra treat for an intense and vibrant night.
The Colombian team has gone 28 games unbeaten and has earned the right to play in the Copa América final against Argentina on Sunday, July 14 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Jefferson Lerma scored the winning goal in the 39th minute after a corner kick from James Rodríguez.
Colombia’s victory was dramatic because at the end of the first half, Colombian full-back Daniel Muñoz saw his second yellow card after elbowing Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
To compensate for their numerical inferiority, the coffee growers made an extraordinary display of energy to maintain their advantage and also resorted to all possible maneuvers to waste time and reach the end with the advantage.
At the start of the match, the Celestas wasted real chances to score. In the second half they launched their attack with everything, hitting the crossbar, but paradoxically it was Colombia that had the clearest chances to score, despite playing with 10 men.
Towards the end of the match, Colombian Mateus Uribe failed twice in front of the goalkeeper. The first time his shot went slightly wide of the post and the second time he shot at Sergio Rochet, but the Uruguayan goalkeeper deflected the ball with his leg. The ball hit the crossbar and returned to the field.
The last time Colombia reached the Copa América final was in 2001, when they won by beating Mexico.
On that occasion, Argentina declined to participate in the tournament citing security reasons. Now, Colombia will be able to face the rival that was absent for more than three decades and on Sunday, July 14, there will be a duel between two fantastic players: Lionel Messi, with Argentina; and Rodríguez with Colombia.
So far, Rodriguez is the star of the Copa America and the player with the most assists in the tournament, with six assists. Messi has scored one goal.
The great credit for this Colombian team also goes to the Argentine coach Néstor Lorenzo, who transformed the team and has placed it at the top of the continent.