Anushree Madhavan
Ronaldo was the youngest member of the team when Brazil won the World Cup in 1994. Only seventeen years old. It was the 21-year-old who fueled Brazil’s run to the finals after four years. His form was the biggest headache for the fans. That is why the French army made significant preparations to tie Ronaldo. Brazil also had a clear understanding of France’s preparations.
ronaldo| Photo: AP Photo/Laurent Rebours
1998 That night, even non-Brazil fans were annoyed as they celebrated the rise of Zinedine Zidane and France’s World Cup victory. What really happened to Brazil in the final three-goal defeat? How did Ronaldo leave the first team list? How did striker Ronaldo, who secured the Golden Ball, become a mere shadow of his dream form? More than two decades after that mysterious night in Paris, these questions remain unanswered.
Ronaldo was the youngest member of the team when Brazil won the World Cup in 1994. Only seventeen years old. It was the 21-year-old who fueled Brazil’s run to the finals after four years. His form was France’s biggest headache. That is why the French army made significant preparations to tie Ronaldo. Brazil also had a clear understanding of France’s preparations.
And so the Brazilian team members gathered in a hotel in Paris, having completed the last phase of training before the final. However, Ronaldo was not as enthusiastic as usual. There was some discomfort on his face. Midfielder Leonardo Ronaldo had never been seen like that. His question and comforting words did not move Ronaldo. Relieved that everything was going to be alright, Leonardo didn’t talk much afterwards.
Ronaldo is not in the team list released the day before. Edmund instead. Not only the French and Brazilians, but the whole world was shocked to hear the news. Why no Ronaldo? There were murmurs. The fans could not bear the grief and cried. The next day, just before the game, when the team list came out, Ronaldo was inserted in it at the last minute. On the field, Rono is a complete failure. What dramatic events may have taken place in the hotel in Paris where the Brazilian team stayed?
The Brazil team leaves the hotel in the evening the previous day. Even the departure of the Brazilian team to the field is a celebration like no other. But contrary to the norm, there are no samba dance moves that day. No passion for the game. That was enough to arouse great suspicion among those present. Ronaldo was not in that group. Where is Ronaldo? The crowd murmured. His name was not in the pre-match list. Edmund instead. It was more than the average Brazilian football fan could afford. Because they won’t accept even if God Lord comes and plays instead of Ronaldo.
The French army and fans were waiting for Ronaldo. Even his opponents could not rejoice in his absence. Because the strategy learned is all for Ronaldo. It was just to discourage him. The French team warmed up just hours before the start of the match. But everyone in the stadium was eagerly looking forward to see the arrival of the Brazilian team. Just about 45 minutes before the start of the match, the lineup of the Brazilian team appeared again in front of the audience. That seven letter in the line-up made their hearts sing with joy. Yes Ronaldo… The 21-year-old stepped onto the pitch to cheers, applause and prayers from thousands of spectators.
But those who watched the game that day were shocked. It was not the same Ronaldo as he had seen in the tournament. Ujwala will not reach the seventh floor of the form. Zidane, who was assigned to lock up, is an all-rounder on the ground. Goals are scored at will. Yellow Army fans cheered Ronaldo. Praki. It was ripening. But they didn’t get the answer to what actually happened there.
Conspiracy theories
Ronaldo, who had no place in the list before the match, became part of the team at the last moment. Many stories about it have been circulated in the past. An allegation at the time was that Ronaldo had a knee injury and was included in the squad at the last minute at the insistence of Nike, who had signed a £105 million contract.
There was another story that Ronaldo had a severe seizure after lunch the day before and Roberto Carlos screamed after seeing this and Edmundo and Cesar Zampaolo rushed into the room. It was also heard that the team doctor Lido Toledo cried because of Ronaldo’s condition.
Some teammates later said that something was on Ronaldo’s mind throughout the tournament. Pele has also said that Ronaldo’s problem is not his form but his mind.
There was also an argument at the time that Roe’s problem was an injection for a knee injury. However, there is a serious allegation that the dramatic events of that day were scripted by FIFA. It is also argued that the story of a huge scandal of 18 million pounds is behind it. Ronaldo was tasked with marking Zidane, who was in poor form. Things got easier for Zidane as Ro tired. Both goals in the final belonged to Zidane.
The subsequent developments confirm the allegation that it was a big move by FIFA itself to win over the hosts, France. At that time, it was alleged that if they lost in the final, FIFA promised to facilitate the way to the final in the 2002 World Cup and to give them the venue for the 2014 World Cup. It was also alleged that this was an 18 million pound scam. No one listened to those stories. But in 2002, Brazil, a relatively weak group, finally made it. It also became the venue for the 2014 World Cup. Ronaldo’s story has not yet been unraveled.
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