The famous Ronaldo R9 will be a partner in a wave pool in Brazil
Soccer legend Ronaldo to rival Medina with new wave pool in Brazil
Brazilian iconic football figure becomes partner in $200 million wave pool project in São Paulo.
Football legend Ronaldo Nazário is the latest major global sports figure to enter Brazil’s growing wave pool scene — and, in doing so, becomes a “symbolic rival” to three-time world surf champion Gabriel Medina, who is already a partner in another major wave pool project in São Paulo.
Ronaldo has been announced as a partner in the Reserva Beach Club, a premium lifestyle club with a wave pool to be built in Alphaville, an upscale neighborhood on the outskirts of São Paulo. This project represents the former striker’s first direct investment in a real estate development, and expands his portfolio beyond football.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Ronaldo has spent the last decade building a business career in sports, media, and entertainment. Now he’s joining a rapidly growing trend in Brazil: large-scale surf facilities designed not just for surfers, but for families and lifestyle-focused members.
The Reserva Beach Club is being developed by BR Soho, a company with over 30 years of experience in the region. The total investment in the project is estimated to be around $200 million and is expected to offer approximately 3,500 family membership titles, costing around $120,000 each. The first phase is scheduled to open in December 2026, with full completion expected in 2027.
At the heart of the development will be a 25,000-square-meter wave pool powered by SurfLoch’s WaveBender technology, capable of producing waves up to six feet (approximately 1.8m) and catering to up to 50 surfers per hour. The facility is designed to offer a wide variety of wave types, from beginner-friendly options to more performance-oriented settings.
During the launch, Ronaldo admitted that he has little experience in surfing — joking about recalling his days bodyboarding in Rio de Janeiro — but said he plans to try it.
“I don’t have much intimacy with surfing, but I have an ease with sports. I’ll ask my daughters for help. I’m a little afraid of getting hurt, but I’m excited about the project,” said Ronaldo.
Ronaldo’s arrival in the sector places him in the same space as Gabriel Medina, who is a partner and ambassador for Beyond The Club, another wave pool complex in São Paulo that has already attracted international attention. While there is no direct competition between the two projects, Ronaldo’s presence adds another heavyweight name to Brazil’s wave pool landscape — a space increasingly shaped by superstar athletes and large investment groups.