BarcaLearning wrote:France were such underdogs and yet performed so brilliantly, I remember it clearly, their striker was shite, and replied on the whole team to attack and defend at the same time to make up. All 4 defenders was rocks and fullbacks great going forward, Thuram 2 goals in the Semi, etc. The final was such a surprise and drama. Great WC for Zidane, nightmare one for Ronaldo... Netherlands back then was also awesome.

Zidane wasn't great until the final, but his presence was felt by the others, even though he wasn't at his best. Ronaldo was better throughout the tournament.

Speaking of the 98 Final, any idea what happened to Ronaldo ?

i remember hearing all kinds of conspiracy theories back then but i never really cared to "investigate"...untill now, sorta

Here's what could be a bunch of bullcrap but its a fun read anyway.
http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/worldcupwonderland/archive/2010/06/05/98-what-went-on-with-ronaldo-before-the-final.aspx

rwo power wrote:

Natalie Portman wrote:- Jorge Campus in net for Mexico with his ridiculous jerseys.....HERNANDEZ (the one that looked like Forlan) was king of Mexico back then.

Don't you dare hate on Jorge Campos! He sure was unique!
(Today's GK kits are so boring in comparison...)

Wish things would go back to these wild kit days. Jorge was styling hard

BarcaLearning wrote:France were such underdogs and yet performed so brilliantly, I remember it clearly, their striker was shite, and replied on the whole team to attack and defend at the same time to make up. All 4 defenders was rocks and fullbacks great going forward, Thuram 2 goals in the Semi, etc. The final was such a surprise and drama. Great WC for Zidane, nightmare one for Ronaldo... Netherlands back then was also awesome.

Thuram's goals , Wow. the only 2 goals he scored for his NT ,were the more crucial ones.

Great final for Zidane but Ronaldo was better throughout the whole tournament imo .

something happened to Ronaldo before that final , for sure. A crisis or something like.

I always thought he just had a nervous break down from the pressure of leading his countrys hopes in a final. Who knows. It was odd

windkick wrote:I always thought he just had a nervous break down from the pressure of leading his countrys hopes in a final. Who knows. It was odd

I don't know but don't think it was a nervous break down. Pressure was on his shoulders but this pressure

was shared by Dunga, Leonardo, Dunga , Cafu, Carlos ...

windkick wrote:I always thought he just had a nervous break down from the pressure of leading his countrys hopes in a final. Who knows. It was odd

He had convulsions, Ronaldo doesn't know the meaning of pressure  

elitedam wrote:From what I remember Ronaldo had a seizure right before the final.  That's why he was a ghost throughout the game.

I watched the final,and yes Ronaldo was no where to be seen throughout the whole match.

Surely Brazil had other options in attack? i mean what is the point of playing someone when they are not 100% fully fit or even close?

Grooverider wrote:

elitedam wrote:From what I remember Ronaldo had a seizure right before the final.  That's why he was a ghost throughout the game.

I watched the final,and yes Ronaldo was no where to be seen throughout the whole match.

Surely Brazil had other options in attack? i mean what is the point of playing someone when they are not 100% fully fit or even close?

Because a 50% ronaldo is better then most strikers.

Donuts wrote:

Grooverider wrote:

elitedam wrote:From what I remember Ronaldo had a seizure right before the final.  That's why he was a ghost throughout the game.

I watched the final,and yes Ronaldo was no where to be seen throughout the whole match.

Surely Brazil had other options in attack? i mean what is the point of playing someone when they are not 100% fully fit or even close?

Because a 50% ronaldo is better then most strikers.

...well, obviously not.

...Hence the reason they went onto lose the game 3-0...

so it's ronaldo's fault they conceded three goals? I mean it has nothing to do with Zidane or a powerful France squad right?

Donuts wrote:so it's ronaldo's fault they conceded three goals? :oI mean it has nothing to do with Zidane or a powerful France squad right?

Of course France played fantastic on the day and deserved the win.

Im sorry but i never said it was Ronaldos 'fault' at all, im simply trying to say that playing the guy when he clearly was not fit was a massive mistake, surely Edmundo who was sat on the bench could of been used more effectively perhaps?
or any other forward they had for that matter.

I just think playing someone based on reputation, regardless of how unwell/unfit he was the night before and on the actual day was a complete waste of time.

Zagallo asked Ronaldo if he is ok and he said 'yes', so of course he played.

I wondered how happened for ages after that final as well, and hearing ppl who bet say sometimes it was rigged and stuff. Others as u all mentioned, ROnaldo had some problem just b4 the match.

The teamsheet an hour b4 the match was given with Edmundo in the starting lineup, but Ronaldo turned up, it was very controversial... I guess we will never know, wonder why no media or anyone managed to interview Ronaldo since then to find out why....

As for France, they were just so good as a team in that tourny, 2 goals conceded only, and I think Brazil lost to Norway in the group stage, and had flaws.

Valkyrja wrote:Zagallo asked Ronaldo if he is ok and he said 'yes', so of course he played.

Do you want to play in a WC final ?

No-brainer .


IMO , Brazil were the best NT at the time , and would have won the tournament but for Ronaldo's injury , Zagallo's adamancy in not including Romario in the squad .

Have to say , the French defence though was godly .

Thuram - Blanc - Desailly - Lizarazu