Football: World Cup 2002: RONALDO: I'LL RULE THE WORLD

IF, as expected, Ronaldo steps out to face England in the World Cup quarter-finals on Friday, it will mark another step in an astonishing fightback from the depths of despair.

Four years ago Ronaldo, then considered the best striker on the planet, watched his world fall apart.

The Brazilian superstar found himself at the centre of a farce when a doctor was called after he had a fit hours before the World Cup final against France.

There were claims that he was forced to play when he wasn't fit, the final turned into disaster for the Brazilians who were taken apart by the French, and Ronaldo's career went into a tailspin.

A succession of problems followed a bad knee injury in 1999 and he was left in the shadows as speculation grew that he was finished. Critics wrote him off for this World Cup, but Brazilian coach Luis Felipe Scolari insisted he would wait until the last minute before omitting him from his plans.

That faith was eventually repaid when he returned to action for Brazil in December 2001 - and scored.

Ronaldo recalls: "It was an extremely difficult time for me. Of course you have doubts whether you will kick a ball again. But I never gave in.

"I've never experienced anything like it. The injuries just kept coming but you have to be positive about it or it's pointless trying to go on."

Having battled back to fitness, Ronaldo's return to international football after a near two-and-a-half-year absence couldn't have been better timed. After 18 qualifying games, four coaches and the use of an astounding 62 players, Brazil stumbled over the finishing line in the South American qualifiers to preserve their proud record of appearing in every World Cup finals.

In the previous 70 years the four-times champions had only lost one qualifier, but this time they were beaten a staggering six times.

Like Ronaldo, they find themselves carrying fewer expectations than ever before.

"The pressure just isn't there this time," claims Ronaldo. "It's strange because Brazil have always been under enormous pressure and if they don't win the World Cup the inquests are endless.

"In the past it's made no difference if we've won or lost - someone will always find fault with the team whether it's tactics, individuals or both.

"In qualifying so much was made of the fact that we had only ever lost one qualifying game in 70 years. But we lost six and naturally there was a crisis - and nobody gave us much of a chance here."

Ronaldo is convinced the lack of pressure has helped Brazil breeze through their group with a 100 per cent record.

"Defeats hurt, but they may have been a great thing for us because Argentina came into this tournament with all the pressure on them while we were allowed to play football and enjoy ourselves.

"The players are far more relaxed and focused. We don't talk about winning the World Cup, we're just going into each game looking to win. That's it, one game at a time."

Belgium will be doing their best to pull off another World Cup shock tomorrow, but Ronaldo insists: "There is immense confidence in this squad. I have always lived with pressure. People expect me to score goals and I can handle that.

"We don't openly boast about our chances here but we are one of several teams who can win this World Cup."

But among Ronaldo's favourites is England, a team they have not met in a competitive event for 32 years but are due to face in the quarter-finals on Friday - if Brazil get past Belgium.

He said: "With players like David Beckham and Michael Owen, England are always going to be a threat no matter who they play - as Argentina found to their cost.

"They are certainly now among the favourites to lift the Cup. No one needs reminding what Beckham can do from dead-ball situations.

"When you think of England you think of football. People still talk about past encounters between the two sides many years after when they last met.

"But if either of us are going to win the World Cup you have to face the best teams in the competition."

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