Eder (footballer, born 1987)
His thunderous extra-time strike in the 2016 European Championship final delivered Portugal its first major international trophy.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Portuguese footballer·Birthday: December 22·Millennials
Biography
Born in Guinea-Bissau, Ederzito António Macedo Lopes moved to Portugal as a child and carved out a journeyman's career across clubs in Portugal, England, and Russia. For years, he was seen as a capable but unspectacular striker, often shouldering the burden of unmet expectations from fans. All that changed in one moment at the Stade de France. With the Euro 2016 final against hosts France locked at 0-0 after 90 minutes, the unassuming substitute received the ball outside the box, turned, and unleashed a low, unstoppable shot that etched his name into Portuguese folklore forever. That goal transformed his legacy from that of a wandering forward into a national hero, proving that impact is not always measured in career totals but in singular, history-altering instants.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Eder was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Eder Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Eder's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored the winning goal for Portugal in the UEFA Euro 2016 final against France.
- Earned 35 caps for the Portuguese national team between 2012 and 2018.
- Won the Russian Premier League title with Lokomotiv Moscow in the 2017-18 season.
Did You Know?
He was named after the famous Portuguese football stadium Estádio da Luz, as 'Ederzito' is a tribute to the stadium's nickname 'A Catedral' (The Cathedral).
Before his famous goal, he had gone over two years without scoring for the national team.
He holds a degree in sports science from the University of Coimbra.
“I knew I was going to shoot. I didn't think about passing. I just turned and hit it.”
