At the big soccer event in Paris, the 1998 World Cup Final was heating up. It was France, the home team, facing off against Brazil, led by their impressive coach, Mario Zagallo with hopes resting on the talents of a 21-year-old striker named Ronaldo.
The journey to France in ’98 didn’t come easy. But Brazil had their O Fenômeno, who had an incredible debut season with Inter Milan where he scored an astounding 34 goals.
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During the Cup, Ronaldo scored four goals, including the first one in Brazil’s semi-final against Holland. That game went into a penalty shootout, and Ronaldo confidently took the first penalty and scored, leading Brazil towards victory.
However, the big disappointment came five days later in Saint-Denis. The events leading up to the epic final match that summer were full of controversy.
In the documentary called “Ronaldo’s Redemption“, we find Ronaldo’s point of view and account of events leading to Brazil’s 3-0 loss to France in ’98.
A sudden Illness
“After lunch, I decided to rest, and the last thing I remember was lying down,” Ronaldo recalls. “Then, I had a convulsion, surrounded by teammates and the late Dr. Lidio Toledo. They kept me in the dark about what was happening”
He requested that they find another place to talk as he needed to get some sleep. Leonardo Araujo then proposed a stroll in the hotel’s garden to discuss the situation.
And then, the surprising news emerged: Delima Ronaldo would not be participating in the World Cup final.
Ronaldo didn’t take this lying down. He had the desire to see his team through the final lap of the World Cup. Besides, there was nothing wrong with him medically.
“…all the essential medical tests showed nothing abnormal – it was as if nothing had occurred. We went to the stadium with the test results in hand, and Dr. Toledo gave the green light. I approached Mario Zagallo and said, ‘I’m fine. I’m not feeling anything”
And in a tone that didn’t give the coach any room for debate, Ronaldo said:
“Here are the test results; they’re fine. I want to play”
They accepted the decision and Ronaldo was allowed to play, but the damage was already done. The turn of events perhaps affected the entire team “because that convulsion was certainly a very frightening event. It’s not something you witness every day”
Still, Ronaldo had his duty,
“In any case, I had a duty to my country, and I couldn’t bear to miss it. I had my honor, and I believed I could play. It may not have been one of the best matches of my career, but I was there to fulfill my role.”
Conspiracy theories
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Ronaldo was never fit to play
Edmundo, who was initially on the team before Ronaldo’s return from the medics, claimed to have witnessed the “fit” after a plea for help by Ronaldo from Roberto Carlos.
He asserted that the striker took a nap before being rushed to the hospital for tests.
Ronaldo spoke on this:
“Some players mentioned that Dr. Lidio Toledo seemed emotional when he arrived at my room. He denies this, stating that I was conscious but breathing heavily when he reached me. The tests came back normal, and together with another medic, the coach Mario Zagallo, and my determination, we decided that I was fit to play”
Furthermore,
“There were even suggestions of a nervous breakdown, with reports of signs of depression a week before the final. Allegations of a “nervous crisis” on the eve of the game emerged. Zico reportedly opposed my inclusion in the lineup, and tensions within the team were rumored”
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Brazil “sold” the World Cup to FIFA
There’s the bizarre FIFA conspiracy theory, alleging that Brazil “sold” the World Cup to FIFA for $23 million, orchestrating a win for France to please the then-new FIFA president, Sepp Blatter.
The influence of Nike on Ronaldo’s final appearance was also questioned during a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission.
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Allergic reaction to an injection?
Other speculations include an allergic reaction to an injection and a supposed affair involving my then-girlfriend, Susana Werner.
In the end, many questions remain unanswered, but what’s clear is that the 1998 World Cup Final was a pivotal moment for Ronaldo’s career, surrounded by mystery and controversy that still lingers in football lore.
