World Cup tales part 1: What happened to Ronaldo before the 1998 World Cup final? Mystery still lingers

At just 21 years old, Ronaldo had already established himself as the most feared striker on the planet, dazzling defenders with a pace, power and sensational skill.

Everything appeared to be falling into place for Brazil. The defending champions had reached another World Cup final and were favourites to beat hosts France at the Stade de France.

Yet, hours before kick-off, chaos erupted.

What followed remains one of the most bizarre episodes the tournament has ever witnessed.

On the afternoon of July 12, 1998, Ronaldo suffered a medical incident at Brazil's team hotel.

Reports from teammates later revealed that he had collapsed and suffered convulsions while resting in his room.

Roberto Carlos, who was sharing accommodation nearby, was among those who witnessed the frightening scenes as medical staff rushed to assist the striker.

The severity of the incident immediately raised doubts over whether Ronaldo would be fit enough to play.

And Brazil's preparations quickly descended into confusion as a result.

Shortly before the match, the official team sheet submitted to FIFA did not include Ronaldo in the starting line-up.

Instead, striker Edmundo was listed among the starting XI. The announcement sent shockwaves through the football world.

Journalists covering the final were stunned, while commentators and reporters scrambled for information as rumours spread across the Stade de France.

Some suggested Ronaldo had suffered an injury. Others feared something much more serious had occurred behind closed doors.

Then came another twist.

Less than half an hour later, Brazil submitted a revised team sheet. Ronaldo was back in the starting line-up.

The abrupt reversal only fuelled speculation.

How could a player deemed unfit moments earlier suddenly be ready to feature in the biggest match of his life?

Brazilian coach Mario Zagallo insisted Ronaldo had been cleared to play by doctors and was desperate to take part. The striker himself reportedly pushed to return after being examined in hospital.

But questions refused to disappear.

When the match began, Ronaldo looked nothing like the player who had terrorised opponents throughout the tournament. The power, pace and skill had all gone.

France dominated that contest from start to finish.

Zinedine Zidane scored twice before half-time, Emmanuel Petit added a third late on, and Brazil slumped to a 3-0 defeat.

Ronaldo, usually capable of producing moments of magic from nowhere, was largely anonymous. He managed only a handful of meaningful touches and never looked capable of dragging Brazil back into the contest.

The performance immediately intensified scrutiny.

Many observers wondered whether Ronaldo should have been allowed to play at all.

An investigation was eventually launched in Brazil as politicians, journalists and supporters demanded answers.

Team doctor Lidio Toledo defended the decision, insisting Ronaldo had undergone examinations and been declared fit.

Others disagreed strongly, arguing the striker should never have been placed in such a high-pressure situation so soon after suffering what appeared to be a seizure.

The mystery only deepened as different explanations emerged over the years.

The most widely accepted version is that Ronaldo suffered a convulsive fit several hours before the final. Ronaldo himself later discussed losing consciousness and waking up surrounded by people before recovering.

However, alternative theories have continued to circulate.

Some conspiracy theories suggested commercial pressures played a role in the decision to select him.

Others questioned whether the true nature of his medical condition was ever fully disclosed.

Several claims emerged in subsequent years, though many have never been conclusively proven.

More than a quarter of a century later, the exact details remain disputed.

What is beyond debate is the impact the incident had on the final.

Ronaldo had been sensational throughout the tournament, scoring four goals and helping Brazil reach the showpiece event.

He was still awarded the Golden Ball as the competition's best player despite his disappointing display against France.

The defeat also became a defining chapter in his remarkable career.

For four years, Ronaldo carried the pain of Paris. Injuries threatened to derail his future, while memories of that night continued to haunt him.

Then came redemption.

At the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, Ronaldo returned from devastating knee injuries to score eight goals and fire Brazil to a fifth world title. His two goals against Germany in the final completed one of football's greatest comeback stories.

Yet even that triumph could not entirely erase the mystery of 1998.

To this day, the image of Ronaldo wandering through the Stade de France looking exhausted, detached and unusually subdued remains one of the World Cup's most enduring images.

Exactly what happened before kick-off may never be fully known.

And that uncertainty is why the events of July 12, 1998 remain one of the greatest unsolved stories in World Cup history.