Before the World Cup began, Brazilian star Ronaldo lamented that every article written about him, every television and radio report, referred to him as an injured player. He said he longed for the day when he would again be referred to simply as a player.
That time has come. Ronaldo, a two-time world Player of the Year, has scored five goals in four World Cup matches, equaling the total of Germany's Miroslav Klose, as Brazil has played with its familiar attacking flair in reaching the quarterfinals.
"After two years without playing, this is without a doubt a personal victory," said Ronaldo, 25, a forward who will lead Brazil into the quarterfinals tomorrow (ESPN, 2:30 a.m. EDT) against England in Shizuoka, Japan. "I am becoming a normal player again and scoring important goals."
His previous World Cup appearance ended in mystery and defeat. Ronaldo entered the 1998 World Cup as the world's most revered player, but he endured some sort of murky episode before the final match against France. Some have said he was upset at Brazilian doctors for the way they were treating his rickety knees. Others have said he suffered a seizure or panic attack because of the expectations put on him.
No one has ever explained exactly what happened. The result, though, was an indolent performance in the championship match as France defeated Brazil, 3-0, and set off the grandest celebration Paris had seen since the end of World War II.
More frustration followed for Ronaldo. In the months after the World Cup, his body began to fail him. He underwent knee surgery, then returned to play only for seven minutes for his club team, Inter Milan, in Italy's premier division, before a ligament unraveled. Many thought his career was over.
Finally, this spring, he began to return to form. There were hints of his old self, the marvelous control of the ball, the strong legs and sturdy balance that propelled his headlong rushes toward the goal, the gap-toothed smile of deliverance.
In the World Cup opener against Turkey, Brazil spotted its opponent a goal, then Ronaldo slid onto a volley to equalize the score. Brazil eventually won, and his shots have continued to find the net. There is not a more breathtaking combination in the tournament than Ronaldo and his partner Rivaldo, who is lean and angular, with the body and knockout precision of a Cuban boxer.
Ronaldo came off after 72 minutes in that first match against Turkey, satisfied but exhausted. His stamina and sharpness have continued to build. He scored again against China and proclaimed, "I believe I can now score a goal in every match. I feel great."
He has done what he said, scoring so far in each of Brazil's four games.
Against England, Brazil must continue to attack, Ronaldo said, moving forward with himself and Rivaldo and the jheri-curled Ronaldinho, as well as with the dangerous runs of the backs, Roberto Carlos and Cafu. Brazil leads the tournament with 13 goals as it seeks its fifth world championship, but its central defense has been vulnerable, and England is certain to get its chances.
"We must go on the attack and keep them under pressure and not get too concerned about the players that are on the other side, and what they are going to do to us," Ronaldo said. "It looks like it will be a very open game. As for me, what matters most is that the team scores, not that I finish as the top scorer."