21 years ago, he capped off one of the greatest comebacks in football history! After 4 years of suffering and two major knee surgeries, Ronaldo is back on top of the world

30. june 2002 saw the final match of the World Cup in South Korea and Japan between Brazil and Germany. Ronaldo scored two goals in the match, completing the heart-warming story of one of the greatest comebacks in football history.

At the turn of the century, Ronaldo “O Fenômeno” ruled world football

A phenomenon and the best nine in history? If it weren’t for a serious knee injury, who knows where he would have been. Twenty-one years ago, he capped one of the greatest stories in football history when two goals secured Brazil’s fifth World Cup title.

His mother lost her fight. While she wanted an educated son, he chose his path with a football at his feet. And it was the best decision of his life. Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima would later dazzle the footballing world with his skills.

After just one year in Cruzeiro, Brazil, he was noticed by European scouts. The young Ronaldo then moved to PSV Eindhoven, where he conquered the entire top Dutch competition at just 18 years old. So it was no wonder he was noticed by the Barcelona star.

But the move to one of the best leagues in the world did not cause him any problems. 47 goals in 49 games for the Catalan club made him the world’s number one striker. But contract negotiation problems took him after just one season to a league that boasted the best defenders in the world.

But his incredible run was halted by a serious knee injury

But he handled this transition well, too, and in his first season at Inter Milan he won the Ballon d’Or and the award for the best player in Serie A. In November 1999, however, a knee injury sidelined him from football for six months.

When he then returned, his knee endured only six minutes of match loads and Ronaldo completely tore the ligaments in his knee. According to his physiotherapist, it was the worst injury he had ever seen. What followed were two complicated operations and practically three years of suffering for the biggest football star of the time.

He only returned to football during the 2001/2002 season, at the end of which the World Cup was held in South Korea and Japan. The whole football world was looking forward to seeing their hero, but few expected the then 26-year-old Ronaldo to get back to his original form.

But at the 2002 World Cup he made one of the greatest comebacks in football history

But the first group matches already suggested that Ronaldo was back. Full points for the Seleção, four goals in three games. Then, even in the knockout stages of the tournament, he showed his incredible ability, only missing the quarter-final clash with England.

Brazil thus reached the World Cup final again after four years, and all eyes were on the striker with the distinctive hairstyle on his head. Brazil’s opponents were Germany, who managed to knock out Korea in the semi-final.

In the match itself, Ronaldo’s star shone brightly as he managed to score two goals in the second act. Brazil thus won its fifth World Cup title and a huge part of it was “O Fenômeno”.

With eight goals, he was the tournament’s top scorer, which earned him the Golden Boot award and a place on the All-star team. In doing so, he staged one of the greatest comebacks in football history, forever etching his name in the hearts of fans around the world.

Source: Wikipedia, Twitter accounts – Curiosidades Brasil