Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterThe build-up to the 1998 World Cup final is one of the most surreal episodes in modern football history.After lighting up the tournament on the Sele�os way to the final, striker Ronaldo suffered what was then a mysterious medical episode in the hours before kick-off.Rumours swirled around the Stade de France about whether or not the reigning Ballon dOr winner had been put on Brazils team sheet as Mario Zagallos side stood on the brink of retaining the title they had won in the USA four years earlier.Youri Djorkaeffs pre-match Ronaldo visitIt would later transpire that Ronaldo had suffered a convulsive fit on the afternoon of the final, losing consciousness and spending three hours in a local hospital. After preliminary tests did not flag up any abnormalities, Ronaldo was discharged shortly before kick-off and stated that he intended to play.Ronaldo was at Inter Milan at the time and the final pitted him against one of his club team-mates in Youri Djorkaeff, who was compelled to take time out of preparing for the biggest game of his life to check on his friend. You may like Zinedine Zidane was supposed to take the corner in the World Cup final, not head it in. But I said, No, let me take this one, you stay in the box Youri Djorkaeff on his part in Frances 1998 World Cup final win Ronaldo and I clicked from the very first touch of the ball. I dont want to compare him against Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, but Il Fenomeno was the best Youri Djorkaeffs verdict on three modern-day legends Failing to reach the 1994 World Cup was one of the biggest disappointments in Frances football history. There were even fights in the dressing room Youri Djorkaeff on Frances 1994 failure Thats true, Djorkaeff tells FourFourTwo. I went to Brazils dressing room. Mario Zagallo opened the door. I told him Id heard something had happened to my friend Ronaldo and wanted to know if he was OK.Djorkaeff and Ronaldo had struck up a close friendship during the previous season at the San Siro, as they added a friendly rivalry to their training day routine.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.I said to Ronaldo: Dont leave me out there playing alone. That season, after every training session in Milan, the two of us stayed behind to practise hitting the crossbar.The pair had been crucial parts of Inters successful season which saw them finish second in Serie A, but win the UEFA Cup, when they saw off Lazio in the final, with Ronaldo scoring the final goal. During this time, the extra-curricular sessions on the training ground had even led to a running joke between the two stars that would culminate that evening in Paris.We used to tease each other that whoever got the most points would win the World Cup, he continues. He couldnt miss that final.Djorkaeffs show of his support would culminate with a reminder of the pairs competitive spirit.Im going to beat you, I told him, he added, with the midfielder going on to be proved right as France beat a shellshocked Brazil side 3-0.But ultimately, the mutual friendship and respect would remain intact. After the match, we swapped shirts, Djorkaeff confirms.TOPICSFranceWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromDani Gil
