The 1998 World Cup Soccer final was between France and Brazil. They had a lot of competition and they were rivals for a long time. Ronaldo was Brazil's most famous player, he had won many awards and he created a lot of fame for Brazil’s soccer team. However, hours before the 1998 World Cup Final, Ronaldo fell very ill and was rushed to the hospital. His teammates were confused and worried about their star player. Rumors were that he suffered a seziere, other rumors were that he had hurt his knee. Then, out of nowhere Ronaldo returns, 40 min before the game and said to be completely clear and fit to play in the game. During the game, Ronaldo was clearly out of it, he was not playing to the ability he could play at. After the game, reports came out about Ronaldo, stating from his teammates that the night before the game he seemed to have suffered a minor seizure in his hotel room. After these reports have come out, Ronaldo’s doctors were being questioned with what they have been prescribing to him during the season. They admitted that they gave Ronaldo a painkiller called Voltaren, this was to help with previous injuries he had earlier in the season. Voltarens side effects do not include seizures, however the side effects are stomach pain, dizzyness, lightheadedness and headaches.
However, some conspicies with this story are, he would only have had these side effects if he was truly very sick beforehand, a likely reason was because Nike forced Ronaldo to play. This was because Ronaldo drew a lot of buisness to Nike and every game that Ronaldo played wearing a Nike uniform, Nike got money. An article came out stating that the Brazillian Football (soccer) confederation has a contract with nike, stating that they must play Ronaldo throughout the entire season and together, the Football confederation and Nike backed Ronaldo into a corner threatening to cancel his sponsorship deal and forced him to play in the World Cup Final.
A second theory was that the Brazillian Football Confederation and Brazillian Government officials were offered $30 Million dollars to throw the game and let their opponent, France win the championship game. The bribe was also that they would hace an easy pass into the 2002 World Cup and that they would be able to host a World Cup by the next decade. Then, ironically in 2014 Brazil got to host the World Cup. I think that Ronaldo was actually ill and Nike forced him to play, if he was having seizures and stuff the night before then something was going on.
1.) Do you think Ronaldo was actually sick, and Nike forced him to play, or do you think the Brazil team got offered money by France to throw the game and let France win?
2.) Do you think there could be a possibility that Ronaldo took too many of his pain killers? Do you think it could be a chance that he had a drug problem?
Replies
I think that he was probably sick and tried to play and just didn't play very well. There could be a possibility that he took too many of his pain killers if he was sick but only he would know that. I doubt that he had a drug problem I think that he was just trying to feel better.
I agree, I think he was actually sick and that Nike forced him to play. I think there was also a good chance that he took too many pain killers because there was proof that he was taking them at the time. Also Nike would lose a lot of money if he did not play.
He probably was sick because if he was not playing 100% then there was something wrong with him, I don't think he was forced there's a big chance he was because of the Nike promotion, I don't think they accepted some kind of money to lose because it will be a big punishment by the law, and the whole team would get in trouble.
I agree, there was something obviously wrong with him because he was not playing to his level. I do not think he should have played that game because he was very sick. Also, I think that Nike forced him to play because if he didn't they would lose a lot of money.
I think that Ranaldo was actually sick and was forced to play becasue if there was something seriously wrong with him he would not have played but I think he was forced. Even like you said he was out of it the whole game so he wasent well and didn't want to play. There could have been a really good chance that he did take to many pain killers which affected his ability to play like he could.
I agree, I think Ronaldo was truly sick. I think that he probably should not have played that game because he was have seizures before the game. I think Nike pushed him to play because if he didn't Nike would lose a ton of money, especially because it was the World Cup.
I think that Ronaldo could have been sick before the game. Nike could have forced him to play because the world cup is a very big stage, and if he is a brand athlete Nike is going to want people to see that. I have heard stories about the Brazillian Ronaldo having drug problems and him taking too many painkillers would not surprise me.
I agree, I think that Ronaldo was actually sick before the game and I think Nike pushed him hard to play in the game because if he didn't play Nike would lose a lot of money. I also see that there could be a painkiller problem too.
It could be very likely that nike forced ronaldo to play. Lot's of big companies are known to sadly mistreating people in order to keep their business at the top. If he was having seizures the night before he should not have played, and if he willingy tried to play any sane person would stop him for his safety.
I agree, Nike would be out of a lot of money if he didn't play, especially because it was the World cup. I think that he should not have played because obviously he was dealing with some major health problems that day and the night before. I think he should not have played in that game.
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 5 Next