Ronaldo, who scored two goals in the 2002 final in a 2-0 win against Germany, is working for a Brazilian media outlet and has been interviewing players throughout the tournament
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DOHA, Qatar — Brazil is trying to win its first FIFA World Cup since 2002 and have a central figure of that championship team here with them.
Ronaldo, who scored both goals in the 2002 final in a 2-0 win against Germany, is working for a Brazilian media outlet and has been interviewing players throughout the tournament. Ronaldo interviewed Richarlison earlier this week and the Brazil striker got emotional talking to him, then thanked the former star nicknamed “The Phenomenon.”
As the Canadian national soccer teams head to their respective FIFA World Cups, Derek Van Diest is on the scene to cover all the action. Expect expert insights and analysis in your inbox daily throughout the tournaments, and weekly on Thursdays for the rest of the season.
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Forward Rodrygo also put his hand on Ronaldo’s leg, hoping some of the luck of 2002 rubs off on him.
“It is very important to have Ronaldo by our side; all the best memories I have of the Brazilian team, Ronaldo is there,” said midfielder Danilo on Thursday. “Especially when he scored in the 2002 final, I ran down the street with a (Brazil) flag in my hand. I remember his first goal for Real Madrid very well too. I followed him at Corinthians (in Brazil), it was an extraordinary thing.
“He’s a guy who has a different aura to all other footballers. I’ve already had the opportunity to be with him and if I get another chance, I’m sure it will be thrilling. I hope that Brazilian players of this level can encourage and support us, it gives us a lot of energy.”
Another former player on the minds of Brazil is the legendary Pele, who could not be at 2022 FIFA World Cup as he is currently hospitalized back home. Pele won three World Cup with Brazil and is generally considered the greatest player of all time.
“We all wish Pele good health, because he is an inspiration to all of us,” said Brazil head coach Tite. “He is part of what the World Cup has demonstrated with solidarity, harmonious coexistence with fans together, with tolerance, with acceptance of differences.
“The World Cup has brought that with sport as a communication vehicle, and we are all wishing him health.”
Brazil faces Croatia in the first quarterfinal Friday (10 a.m. ET, TSN) at the Education City Stadium. The winner will move on to play either the Netherlands or Argentina in the semifinal.
“So far, Croatia scored five goals and conceded only two, if I’m not mistaken, and in six World Cup appearances, they got to one final and three quarterfinals,” Danilo said. “They have great players like (Luka) Modric, (Mateo) Kovacic, (Marcelo) Brozovic and (Ivan) Perisic; I personally had the opportunity to play in the same club or against those players.
“They are used to playing in big and important matches. It’s a match that will force us to be 100% focused and at our best if we want to go through to the next round.”
Croatia finished second in Group F, defeating Canada 4-1 along the way. It made it to the quarterfinals with a shootout win against Japan.
NOT SATISFIED
Croatia will be the first to admit it is not the same team who went to the World Cup final four years ago, but there is still some fight in those aging legs.
Croatia was able to gut out a win against Japan, coming back to tie the game 1-1 and then grinding out a shootout win.
Brazil will be its biggest test of the tournament and while many are expecting its run to come to an end, along with possibly the international career of Modric, they are not ready to just roll over.
“I think we’ve done very well by getting to the last eight,” Modric said on Thursday. “Despite that, we want even more. We’re aware that this is probably the biggest game for us in this tournament; we’re aware that this is probably the biggest game for us in this tournament against one of the favourites to win the World Cup. They’re always one of the favourites anyway, but the way they’ve performed in this World Cup, gives them even more reason to be considered the favourites.”
Four years ago, Croatia defeated Argentina in the group stage and England in the semifinal to get to the final where it lost to France. This time around, it would have to get past Brazil and either Argentina or the Netherlands to get back there.
“We just have to be the real us,” Modric said. “We have to give our all; the same as we have in every game so far at the World Cup. Give all that we are capable of, play the best possible game we can. If we succeed in doing that, then we definitely have a chance.”
DANCE MACHINE
Brazil and its head coach were criticized for dancing in a group after scoring against South Korea in a 4-1 win in the second round of the tournament.
One of the most vocal critics was former Irish international Roy Keane of Manchester United fame, who said it was disrespectful to Brazil’s opponents. This coming from a person who intentionally broke the leg and ended an opponent’s career during his playing days.
“I’m not going to comment on people who don’t know Brazilian history; the Brazilian culture, the way of being of each one of us,” Tite said. “So, for those, it’s a separate noise. I want to have connection with my work, with people who identify with me, with those who identify with the work with respect and who know my story.
“So, these are the people I pay attention to and give my heart to, especially because they are very discreet and will continue to be. I respect the culture, the way I am, the squad, and the team I work for.”