Former Corinthians and Barcelona striker Ronaldo scored a brace as the new Maracanã was finally inaugurated, less than two months before the start of the Confederations Cup.
Maracanã’s inauguration organization was criticized for not inviting Romário and Zico, who have strong connections with the stadium.
Romário was later invited by fellow 1994 World champion Bebeto but he did not play. Brazil’s president Dilma Rousseff was present at the stadium.
There was also a protest near the stadium as many people oppose to the government’s idea of privatizing the Maracanã.
The game was open as had been expected, the ‘friends of Ronaldo’ beat the ‘friends of Bebeto’ 8-5 in a match that featured many stars.
The first goal of the new stadium was scored by Washington, who was of the biggest Brazilian goal scorers in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Bebeto did not score any goal, but his son Mattheus scored once.
The Maracanã will be used again in May, and it will possibly host a Flamengo or Fluminense game in the Brazilian Cup or Copa Libertadores.
The match between Brazil and England will also be played at the new Maracanã in June.
