Brazil were far from world beaters in the late 90s. A flaky defence meant workmanlike international squads had a chance of an upset. Heading into France 98, however, the World Cup holders had Ronaldo.
Just 21 at the 1998 tournament, the Inter striker scored four and assisted as many as he terrorised defences with strength, speed and shooting accuracy.
The stage was set for a showdown with hosts France and their mercurial playmaker Zinedine Zidane. It was going to be an antidote to a dull and defensive 1994 final.
Then, as much of the world was plunging hands into snack bowls, the news broke: Ronaldo was out of the starting XI.
The BBC presenter Des Lynam waved the official team sheet towards the camera. On it, showing Edmundo starting in Ronaldo's place. They went to the stadium where commentator John Motson described mayhem as hundreds of shocked pundits and journalists were put to work to find out what happened as rumours of sickness or injury swirled the Stade de France. Footage of a pensive Pele beamed across the world.
David Ginola, the French winger at Tottenham, was working colour with Gary Lineker for the BBC. He grinned from ear to ear as Gallic smugness cranked up to 10. The hosts were on the Rue de Rivoli against a neutered Brazil.
But just as the world digested a final without the tournament's star player, Lineker got word that Ronaldo was back in. A yellow team sheet appeared in Lynam's clutches and Ronaldo was reinstated amid cries of conspiracy, gamesmanship and foul play. It wasn't going to be that straightforward, Ginola.
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The final started and it was evident midway through the first half that Ronaldo was performing below par. Zidane ghosted by the striker, who was marking him at a set piece, to head in a first for the French. The hosts would canter to a 3-0 win and Ronaldo, inexplicably, played the full 90 minutes.
Later it was revealed the striker had a convulsion after lunch on the day of the final. He said that he was unconscious for "about four minutes". Junior Baiano, the centre back, described the team rushing to Ronaldo's hotel room and saw their teammate "in a bad way". "He was really sick. His face was contorting and was drooling... all the players saw the horrible scene."
What caused his affliction and why he played after this episode remain a mystery, but has generated a number of fun conspiracy theories. Medical examinations came back negative. Edmundo, the benched striker, alleged that Nike ordered Ronaldo to play. The company and Fifa refuted claims they pressured the team to change the team sheet.
Ronaldo would suffer a career-threatening knee injury in 1999, but he recovered to the peak of his powers to score eight goals as Brazil lifted the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea.
Stephen Nelmes is Home Page Editor at The National
Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Asia Qualifier
Fixtures
Friday, April 12, Malaysia v UAE
Saturday, April 13, UAE v Nepal
Monday, April 15, UAE v Kuwait
Tuesday, April 16, UAE v Singapore
Thursday, April 18, UAE v Oman
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Aaron Benjamin, Akasha Mohammed, Alishan Sharafu, Anand Kumar, Ansh Tandon, Ashwanth Valthapa, Karthik Meiyappan, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Rishab Mukherjee, Niel Lobo, Osama Hassan, Vritya Aravind, Wasi Shah
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Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
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Name: HyperSpace
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Based: Dubai, UAE
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Born November 11, 1948
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Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
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Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
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Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
Drishyam 2
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The five types of long-term residential visas
Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:
Investors:
A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.
Entrepreneurs:
A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.
Specialists
Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.
Outstanding students:
A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university.
Retirees:
Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.