Ronaldo only made his Brazil return, following two-and-a-half years out, 40 days before Luiz Felipe Scolari named his squad for Korea/Japan 2002.
Disaster had struck at the San Siro in November 1999. Ronaldo was in his cosmic pomp, being juxtaposed with Diego Maradona by friends and enemies alike, when he ruptured a tendon in his knee.
His subsequent setback was terrifyingly worse. “When he returned, he ripped the knee-cap tendon completely,” explained physiotherapist Nilton Petrone. “His kneecap actually exploded and it ended up in the middle of his thigh.”
Brazil, who had atypically contracted a scoring problem, almost failed to qualify for Korea/Japan 2002. Scolari’s proposed cure had been met with widespread disbelief: he wanted to rush Ronaldo, who wasn’t even back playing for Inter Milan, into the fold. The 25-year-old, despite making unconvincing 45-minute cameos against Yugoslavia and Portugal, was named in the Seleção’s final squad.
“Because I’m crazy,” snapped Scolari after being asked, for the umpteenth time, how he could take Ronaldo to the tournament.”
What proved crazier was Ronaldo’s return across Asian fields. The 25-year-old averaged a goal every 69 minutes, his eight strikes, including two in the final, inspiring Brazil to ecstasy.
A tribute to Ronaldo
World Cup wonder goals: Ronaldo equals Muller
Marcos: I was scared I’d cost a great Brazil side the title
The story heading into Korea/Japan 2002
Photos: Magicians marked en masse
