The 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea was all about Ronaldo’s redemption. Four years after suffering a convulsive fit ahead of Brazil’s final loss to France, which understandably left him looking a shadow of his dazzling self at Stade de France, the most scintillating striker in football history fired his country to a fifth title with eight goals in just seven appearances, including a decisive double in the 2-0 win over Germany in the final.
However, as Rivaldo’s dummy for Ronaldo’s second strike in Yokohoma so delightfully underlined, he couldn’t have done it all himself. He was ably supported by two of the most talented individuals ever to play the game.
Indeed, only Ronaldo scored more goals at the finals than Rivaldo, who was Player of the Match against both Belgium and England, in the last 16 and quarter-finals, respectively.
As for Ronaldinho, despite getting himself sent off against the Three Lions, just a few minutes after beating David Seaman with an outrageous free-kick, he was a joy to watch throughout and showed why he would go on emulate both Rivaldo and Ronaldo by winning the Ballon d’Or.
