40 days to go: Ronaldo’s resurrection

Ronaldo made his Brazil return, following two and a half years out, just 40 days before Luiz Felipe Scolari named his squad for Korea Japan 2002. Disaster had struck at the San Siro in November 1999 when Ronaldo ruptured a tendon in his knee. His subsequent setback was even worse, with physiotherapist Nilton Petrone explaining that when Ronaldo returned, he ripped the knee-cap tendon completely, essentially exploding his kneecap.

Brazil, who had atypically developed a scoring problem, almost failed to qualify for the tournament. Scolari's proposed solution was met with widespread disbelief: he wanted to rush Ronaldo, who was not even playing for Inter Milan at the time, into the squad. Despite making unconvincing cameo appearances against Yugoslavia and Portugal, Ronaldo was named in the final squad. When asked how he could take Ronaldo, Scolari snapped back that it was because he was crazy.

What proved crazier was Ronaldo's return across Asian fields. He averaged a goal every 69 minutes, scoring eight strikes including two in the final, inspiring Brazil to glory and completing one of sport's greatest comeback stories.