10 Footballers Who Recovered From World Cup Disgraces

6. Ronaldo

As sure as he's busy counting his money, there are still some giggling about Ronaldo's questionable hairstyle during the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan.

Long before CR7 came along and stole his nominative thunder, the Brazilian Ronaldo was one of the world's best players. At France '98, he proved that by scoring four goals on his team's relentless march to the final against the hosts. Then, it all fell apart for him.

Cutting an oddly dejected figure during the final in Paris, Ronaldo looked on passively as France smashed Brazil 3-0. Later reports of a seizure he suffered pre-match (meaning Ronaldo should not have been on the pitch) surfaced.

Four years later, he'd redeem himself.

Hammering two goals in from close range against Germany in Yokohama, Ronaldo looked imperious at the 2002 World Cup final and exorcised the demons of four years earlier with a quite dazzling display of lethal finishing. Then, he lifted the famous golden trophy above his head and smiled, dodgy hairdo and all.