9 things you probably didn't know about Ronaldo

SAITAMA-KEN - JUNE 26:  Ronaldo of Brazil celebrates scoring the winning goal during the FIFA World Cup Finals 2002 Semi-Final match between Brazil and Turkey played at the Saitama Stadium, in Saitama-Ken, Japan on June 26, 2002. Brazil won the match 1-0. DIGITAL IMAGE. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Ronaldo was one of the most feared strikers of all time

#5 Mystery surrounding his fitness in the 1998 World Cup final

7 Jul 1998:  Holland captain Frank de Boer brings down Ronaldo of Brazil during the World Cup semi-final at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, France. Brazil went through on penalties. \ Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster /Allsport
Ronaldo suffered a seizure on the day of the 1998 World Cup final

When Brazil faced France in the grand finale of the 1998 World Cup, all eyes were on the best player in the world at that time - Ronaldo. But the biggest football stage turned into a full-fledged scandal as Ronaldo's name was not included in the starting lineup.

In a turn of events, he was later added to a new team sheet and what followed was a blame game between the authorities and a mystery about the player's health which to this date, remains a mystery and only a handful of people have an idea about it.

Ronaldo had suffered a seizure on the afternoon of the final when he was saved by his teammates and had to be taken to a hospital. He was discharged after an hour or so and the striker then informed coach Mario Zagallo that he was fit enough to start the game but the doctors denied permission for him to take the field.

Medical experts were shocked to see a player play such a high octane game of football even after suffering a fit few hours ago.

After the final which Brazil lost comfortably, many conspiracy theories began to emerge. One being that Nike and the Brazil federation, CBF had a £105 million deal in place as they pressurised the manager to include Ronaldo in the playing XI.

Globo had also reported that Ronaldo had a fit on that day when he was with Roberto Carlos which was caused by an injection of a cortisone with an anaesthetic that was given to him on the morning of the final. The publication had also claimed that the drug entered Ronaldo's veins which caused him to faint.

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