The seizure that cost Brazil a FIFA World Cup
Channel: What If Football
Date: 2020-02-10

Ronaldo had been an unused substitute throughout Brazil's run to  the 1994 World Cup in America. He had almost scored a goal a game upon his introduction to European football with PSV, Barcelona and Inter Milan. By the time the 1998 World Cup came to town, Ronaldo had won a Cup Winners' Cup and a UEFA Cup. 

He was unstoppable as Brazil barrelled towards the 1998 World Cup fiinal with hosts France. He'd scored twice against Chile in the round of 16 and once against Morocco in the group stages. But then the teamsheets were distributed in the Stade de France. Ronaldo was out, Edmundo was in. Turmoil in the gangtry. Des Lynam and Gary Lineker tried to figure  it out from their BBC vantage points.

Until, suddenly, Ronaldo was included in a second teamsheet. He, along with Brazil, underperformed as Zinedine Zidane and France swept to their first World Cup in a 3-0 win. 

Had Nike pressured Brazil to play Ronaldo? No, the truth was far more bizarre. According to roommate Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo had suffered a seizure the morning of the final and Carlos was in fear that Ronaldo may die on the pitch.

Ronaldo went onto retire in 2011 after stints with Real Madrid, AC Milan and Corinthians in a career that was blighted by injury. Ronaldo claimed another World Cup in 2002 and many accolades on the way but never won the Champions League, like Diego Maradona before him.

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Narrated, Written and Edited by Jake Doyle (@jakedoyle93)

All Images Courtesy of Getty Images.

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