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Doubt Ronaldo? You should know better Posted: Thursday June 27, 2002 1:50 PM
SEOUL -- Who was the revelation of this world cup? Mustafa El Hadji Diouf? Hasan Sas? Ahn Jung-Hwan? All valid contenders, but I have to give my vote to Ronaldo. After three years of inactivity, Brazil’s "phenomenon" has returned to his best and shown the world that he is still one of the deadliest strikers in the game. "He’s done." "He’ll never play again." "Forget about Ronaldo." We all heard people saying it. I heard it at work at all the time. But he has proved them wrong. If it is an amazing feeling for any player to be a part of the World Cup final, then imagine what it feels like for Brazil’s number nine.
He wasn’t expected to lead his nation’s charge at the finals. He wasn’t even expected to be a factor in the competition. And what has he done? He’s scored six goals in as many games, including the winner against Turkey in Wednesday’s quarter final and he now has a chance to redeem himself from a traumatic showing in the 1998 title match against France. I have to tell you that I always believed in Ronaldo’s recovery. Why? Maybe it was wishful thinking because I longed to see this force of nature do what he was born to do. Maybe it was because I had the pleasure of talking to him at length in 1999 shortly after he had undergone his first knee surgery. He seemed to me to be a humble, dedicated and spiritual man who knew what he wanted. For whatever reason, I felt it was going to happen. And I am glad it has. Now he is back where he belongs. Among the best in the world, ready to capture football’s Holy Grail. Don’t think he can do it? Just don’t say it. You know he will prove you wrong. World Sport's Pedro Pinto will be reporting regularly from South Korea during the World Cup.
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