There have been many controversial instances in FIFA’s WC history. Sometimes on-field and sometimes off it. Be it the ‘Ghost Goal’ of England 66 or the famous ‘Hand of God’ from Diego Maradona. World cups never have any dull moments.
One such World Cup was France 1998. IT is by far the most controversial World Cup in its 84 year history. The result shocked one and all when a high-flying Brasil side led by the mercurial Ronaldo lost to the hosts France in the most one sided final in World Cup history.
The tournament’s best team was decimated by an average French side. Les Blues side were not pedestrians but they were no match for this golden Brazil side. The final was an anticlimax where the Zinedine Zidane led side routed the Samba Boys 3-0 in Stade de France.
The major factor which was attributed to this shocking defeat is an under fit Ronaldo. The Brazilian was in stupendous form for the entire tournament but just 5 hours before the finals, he started acting weirdly. He was rushed to a neurologist immediately but was passed fit to play and thus featured in the finals. But still he was light years away from his fit self.
Roberto Carlos his roommate was petrified at the sight of his unusual behavior. Congressman Edmundo , who was present at the very place where Ronaldo’s health was deteriorating, later on addressed Brazilian Congress and this is what he said.
"Was Ronaldo hitting out or shaking?"
"Hitting out a lot," replied Edmundo.
"Lying down?"
"Lying down and hitting himself with his hands like this, with his teeth . . . "
"Together?"
"Locked together and with his mouth foaming."
"His whole body hitting itself?"
"The whole body, yes."
Ronaldo's Interview:
There are many conspiracy theories which try to decode the mystery of
The Match highlights
CONSPIRACY 1
Nike and the CBF forced Ronaldo to play
Ronaldo had a fit shortly before the game and was not well enough to play. The CBF intervened and forced him to play, since there was a hidden part of the Nike-CBF contract that dictated he had to play in the World Cup final. This was because Nike had invested so much in him for its marketing campaign.
CONSPIRACY 2
Brazil sold the World Cup
Brazil's players received a total of $23m (£15m) in bribes, the promise of Brazil hosting the 2006 World Cup, and an easy passage in the 2002 World Cup to throw the game. Ronaldo refused to have any part in this, hence Edmundo's name was in the list in his place. But Ronaldo changed his mind after Nike threatened to withdraw his sponsorship money. The idea was for Brazil to lose on a golden goal, but since they were so shaken by the deal, France - who were unaware of the plot - scored three times in 90 minutes.
CONSPIRACY 3
Ronaldo was drugged
The striker's indisposition on the day of the final was the result of sabotage by France, who wanted to put out Brazil's best player.
CONSPIRACY 4
Ronaldo was unwell
Ronaldo had a secret medical problem which he had kept hidden all his life.
CONSPIRACY 5
The blue pill
The doctors gave him a "blue pill" as a painkiller. But it had tranquilizing effects that made him "sleepy".
.jpg "League")