In Search of Ronaldo

Swaying hips, lightning pace, a lethal cool finish and the buck tooth smile. Ronaldo. With him anything was possible but without they became mortal. He was the spark that electrified Brazilian souls, realised dreams and offered an aura of invincibility.

So imagine the scenes at the Stade de France when 72 minutes before kick off and Ronaldo's name was not included on FIFA's official team sheets? A panic stricken media area with over 2000 journalist surged into meltdown.

Even Pele commentating for Brazilian television appeared dumbstruck as to his heir's absence. Telephone lines ignited around the world as editors ordered their reporters to go in Search Of Ronaldo.

But unknown to all outsiders that afternoon saw Ronaldo suffer a seizure at Brazil's headquarters, Chateau de Grande Romaine hotel. Hysteria gripped as Brazil's medical squad sprinted to the frightening scene. Once awoke Ronaldo was taken to a specialist clinic for a series of test that evidently found nothing wrong.

The attack was claimed to have been brought on by 'pre-match stress'. But other were sceptical for NIKE had bought Brazil's soul for $160 Million dollars in a ten year contract. This enabled them to call all shots regarding when and allegedly even who played.

Their biggest asset undoubtedly Ronaldo and it was whispered the fearful amount of pain killer injections suffered by the young superstar to keep him on the pitch had finally reaped a savage toll.

Back at the Chateau head-coach Mario Zagallo acted decisively by replacing Brazil's golden boy with Fiorentina's Edmundo. But events soon took another astonishing twist when Ronaldo turned up at the stadium insisting he felt fit to play.

Taking him at his word Zagallo told Edmundo to stand down and again the media centre exploded into collective madness when a second team list was distributed. This time with Ronaldo included!

Looking sedated and drugged to the eyeballs even, he walked slowly into public gaze. Grasping tight to teammate's hands there appeared emptiness in his eyes.

The kid they christened the 'Phenomenon' from the poverty ravaged slum of Rio De Janeiro, who all his life dreamed of that moment was now paying the price for football selling out to the soul-less heart of Corporate-big business.

As for the next ninety minutes? A Zidane inspired France slaughtered Brazil 3-0 with Ronaldo but a ghost.

Sad.