When R9 'stole' Ballon d'or in 90 minutes 💀

[Sintexprezzens]

R9 coming back to score in WC final 2002 was a fairy tale. It wasn't just about the injuries, there were also many unanswered questions about his 1998 WC final performance and mystery illness before the match. Just seeing him back on the pitch after a long long time was magical for millions of fans. Him being in the final was just mind blowing, Germany was no weak team and so for him to do what he couldnt 4 years earlier was just beautiful.

[creepycraft]

"R9 was coming back from a serious injury" is a massive understatement. His kneecap was literally torn off. it ended up in his thigh. R9 was out for 3 years before playing the world cup.

[Jgggg]

Where did you take that from? Ronaldo Fenômeno was like a brother to Roberto Carlos and there is even an interview that Roberto Carlos talks about how he was happy that Ronaldo Fenômeno won the Ballon Dor and silenced all the critics

[Ohmagawdjr]

In 1997 Roberto Carlos also finished 2nd to Ronaldo for the FIFA world player of the year. Goes to show how good he was. By far the best attacking full back ever.

[HuzaifahDhooma]

Bro Roberto Carlos congratulated R9 when he won the ballon dor

[MITHUNPES]

That R9's legendary haircut is enough ☠️

[Masivemaster]

The ronaldo comeback in the world cup was legendary, coming from the injury that ruined his carreer he managed to do one of the most incredible performances made by a player in the world cup

[MisterPete]

People forget Ronaldo at 20 years old for Barcelona was world class

[Gorilla]

Back then when there was real competition for the Ballon d'or. The standards have dropped these days

[bhanvisera]

Carlos genuinely deserves the ballon dor

[GoatOfAllTimeFCMobile]

Actually Michael Ballack could have won a quadruple that year, and he might have won the Ballon D'or since he participated in all the finals of that year but sadly lost all the trophies.

[Averifiedperson]

He didn’t steal it in 90 minutes. As you mentioned, before the final he had 6 goals in 6 games in the world cup.

[ayaannazir]

This Brazil team was scary back then, they deserved to be feared by everyone. Wish I could say the same for today’s Brazil team

[tanzeemshahriar]

Germany didn't concede a single goal until that final. Kahn was truly an unbreakable wall till the phenomenon came. A really well deserved golden ball.

[adityaxf]

he didn't steal his ballon d'or he earns it

[justdalaughters]

I’m sure Roberto Carlos didn’t mind losing from R9, even I wouldn’t

[samarth]

Defenders like Roberto Carlos should deserve the ballon dor

[mathewibarrientos]

Roberto carlos free kick was a glory and ronaldo help to the world cup they both deserve the ballan d'o r

[wolfpackpete]

It was great to see R9 return to playing after missing most of the previous 3 years, and not having a great season after the 98 World Cup either. However, I thought France were going to win it in 2002. On paper I thought they had an even stronger side than 4 years prior... Zidane was further elevated after his great showing at Euro2000, and going into the 02 World Cup, he was fresh off winning the CL in his first season with Real Madrid after his world record transfer, scored what is still arguably the greatest final winning goal - although tbf, it was a magical assiat from Roberto Carlos.
Henry had reached entirely new levels in the 4 years between 98 and 02!!!! Trezeguet had grown as a player after a couple of years with Juventus. Vieira and Makélélé seemed like they'd offer an extremely strong base to free up Zidane... it was a huge surprise how poor France were in Japan and Korea

[nevor-]

One thing tho didn't Roberto Carlos play with Brazil so he kinda won the WC too