After receiving heavy criticism following the 1998 World Cup and suffering a serious injury, O Fenomeno came back to take the world by storm with the Selecao.
Four years previously, Brazil had squandered a chance to retain the World Cup and take its fifth title overall. It was a turning point in the history of the nation's football. That 3-0 defeat to a France team galvanized on home soil by Zinedine Zidane is still remembered with great sadness and regret.
Ronaldo was one of the protagonists of that defeat. The world's best player was doubtful even to play the final, having suffered convulsions hours before kickoff.