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World Cup 1998 flashback - Brazil get Les Bleus |
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 Football News: Heard the one about Ronaldo and the 1998 World Cup final?
It is a tale of sporting subterfuge that remains the most enduring mystery in the history of football.
The Brazil striker had taken the competition by storm, embracing the burden of goal-scoring responsibility that fell on his shoulders following the late withdrawal of Romario.
The 21-year-old, whose talents in front of goal had inspired his country to the final, was expected to prove the star - and match-winner - in a dream match against hosts France.
His subsequent influence could not have had a more contrasting effect on his country's ambitions.
Rumours continue to surface concerning what went on in the hours leading up to the final, thanks in no small part to Ronaldo's reluctance to reveal the truth.
So what did happen?
The first signs of trouble arrived exactly 72 minutes before kick-off when Brazil coach Mario Zagallo issued a team sheet with Ronaldo's name (normally the first written) omitted.
Half an hour later, and he was back in the line-up. All was not well in the Brazil camp, with rumours of a dispute fuelled by the failure of the South Americans to appear for a pre-match warm-up.
At this stage, the stories surrounding Ronaldo ranged from the surprising to the downright amusing.
First it was an ankle injury, then a stomach upset. Then it was claimed he had been poisoned, possibly by a secret lover.
What is certainly true is that Ronaldo did ultimately start the game, yet his lifeless, distant display served only to disrupt team tactics and morale.
Zinedine Zidane gave France a 2-0 lead before half-time after two commanding headers from corners.
A third from Emmanuel Petit in the dying moments saw the hosts increase their lead, despite the dismissal of Marcel Desailly.
Far from a match-winner, Ronaldo became an unlikely scapegoat as Brazil returned home to jeers rather than cheers.
In the aftermath of defeat, much-needed light was shed on the subject by his room-mate Roberto Carlos.
The left-back claimed his team-mate had been unable to sleep throughout the night before the game.
Instead, he allegedly spent most of the early hours in tears before suffering convulsions that necessitated an emergency trip to hospital.
It has also been alleged that the Brazil staff, despite their knowledge of Ronaldo being declared mentally and physically unfit to play, were put under pressure to field the player by his sponsors.
Such an allegation has never been proved.
One wonders whether we will ever find out the truth. (sportasylum)
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