Ronaldo fulfils his destiny four years on

Ronaldo's four long years of pain, fear and heartbreak evaporated yesterday as the world's greatest striker finally fulfilled his destiny.

The Brazilian, whose career was threatened by a terrible knee injury three years ago, buried his dreadful memories of the 1998 World Cup final once and for all with a commanding performance in the 2-0 win over Germany.

A virtual passenger four years ago following his pre-match convulsions, the 25-year-old produced a virtuoso second half display yesterday, scoring both goals in a win that brought Brazil their fifth world crown.

The goals also earned him the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer with eight - the highest total since 1970 when Gerd Mueller got 10 for West Germany.

It was a fitting reward for a man who looked the sharpest player on the field just as he has done for most of Brazil's unbeaten run.

In a tight first half he had two half-chances and, as the whistle was about to blow at the break, a good one which he fired straight at the legs of Oliver Kahn on the turn.

As the game went on he continued to look the man most likely to score but few would have expected the breakthrough goal to have come about as a result of a Ronaldo tackle.

He ran into a dead end in a 67th minute break and was dispossessed by Dietmar Hamann. But as the German midfielder moved away Ronaldo scurried after him and stole the ball back.

He immediately fed Rivaldo and after Oliver Kahn made his first mistake of the tournament by failing to hold the midfielder's stinging shot, Ronaldo swept the ball into the net.

He sealed the victory 12 minutes from time after Rivaldo dummied a low Kleberson cross, leaving Ronaldo time to instantly control the ball before curling his shot just inside the post.

With the game won, he was substituted in the final minute. As the seconds ticked away he was embraced by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Every emotion must have been running through his mind as the whistle blew to confirm his country's record-breaking success.

Wrapped in a Brazilian flag and overcome by emotion, he walked slowly towards the huddle of celebrating players.

When they saw him coming they turned as one and he was hoisted shoulder high to be paraded in front of the delirious Brazil fans.

It was a moment he could hardly have dared imagine as he fought to come back after his devastating knee injury. Twice he broke down to spark real concern that he would not only return to the World Cup stage but might never play again.

Ronaldo thanks doctor who saved his career

In an emotional re-union hours before the final Ronaldo thanked the French doctor who saved his career.

"My biggest victory is that I can play again," Ronaldo told Paris-based orthopaedic specialist Gerard Saillant who was in Yokohama as the striker's special guest.

"I had hoped to invite you to see Brazil versus France in the final but...," a grinning Ronaldo added.

The two embraced and Saillant playfully rubbed the 25-year-old's new hairstyle.

Saillant performed two operations on the striker's ruptured right knee. The second operation, in April 2000, was necessary after Ronaldo re-injured the knee in his first competitive game back after the original operation the previous year.

Hours before the last World Cup final in 1998, Ronaldo suffered a fit but was allowed to play against France. He performed below his best as Brazil lost 3-0.

The slow pace of his recovery since the operations - further complicated by recurring muscular injuries this season - raised fears he might never recover fully his pre-1998 form.

But the man twice voted World Player of the Year has scored eight goals at these finals, despite suffering muscular problems.

"It gives hope to every one who is injured or hurt to see that by fighting you can make it and he's back to where he was - it's fantastic," Saillant told Reuters Television.

"It's hugely satisfying. I am very moved."

Ronaldo told Saillant that he was ready to take him up on a long-promised game of golf although his skills on the football pitch do not seem to carry over to the fairway.

"I'm an 18 handicap," Ronaldo told Saillant. "But I'm playing a lot more now - I'm going to get better."

Ronaldo also said his father had told him that when the World Cup final was finished he had to fulfil a promise to take a swim in the River Seine in Paris.