2026 FIFA World Cup Countdown: The 1998 World Cup Final Mystery

96 Days To Go: Motson Marks Moment The World Stood Still

The World Cup final. The pinnacle of footballing achievement, regardless of whether you win or lose. It’s the perfect arena for the best players in the world to show exactly why they are in that bracket.

The 1998 final between host nation France and Brazil boasted more star power than most: for the French, Thierry Henry, Zinedine Zidane, Marcel Desailly and Lilian Thuram were the highlights of a star-studded lineup, while for the Seleção, Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Rivaldo, future manager Dunga and star player Ronaldo Nazário were readying to wield their power on the biggest stage of all.

But something was amiss – when the official Brazilian teamsheet was submitted at 7:48pm local time by manager Zagallo, there appeared to be a glaring, bordering on unacceptable, error: Ronaldo Nazário, known to the world as the best player on the planet, wasn’t in the starting lineup. In fact, he wasn’t even on the bench.

Reporters, commentators, those in attendance and those watching from around the world all looked at each other – how could this be? Who could make such a poor mistake? Was it a disciplinary action? Had something happened to Ronaldo?

Everyone was in the dark, and it was clear from every broadcast that commentators had no idea how to respond, with viewers in England saved only by the superb insight and ad-libbing of the inimitable, late John Motson, who had viewers rapt with his clear, concise, composed view on the unfolding chaos before him.

On this day in 1998, France won the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/6Tm5OHfK4s

— 90s Football (@90sfootball) July 12, 2021

So what had actually happened during what the BBC coined as “the Great World Cup Final Mystery"?

An Impossible Omission

Prior to the World Cup’s showpiece game, Ronaldo had been on fire – he had played every game in the lead-up to the final, scoring four times, and had simply underlined his status as the finest footballing talent on the planet, having won the previous year's prestigious Ballon d’Or award.

All of Ronaldo's goals at France '98. He was unstoppable pic.twitter.com/xBPRBSjVXo

— 90s Footballers (@90sPlayers) November 26, 2022

By every metric, the explosive centre-forward was destined to be the player to decide the game, in the process grabbing himself his first World Cup trophy. Still just 21 at the time, the forward was the Seleção's not-so-secret weapon, and he had let everyone know it.

However, just as R9 was primed to explode in the brightest spotlight our sport has to offer, he was robbed of his best game by circumstances outside of his control in a cruel twist of fate.

The very day of the game, just after having lunch, Ronaldo decided it was time for a siesta to sleep off his meal before the big game. The next thing he knew, he was surrounded by his teammates and team doctor, and he had absolutely no idea why.

It is still not clearly known what had gone on behind the scenes, but the prevailing theory, and the one most widely known amongst the football-following public, was that the striking sensation had suffered a fit. It is still unclear who found him – some say Roberto Carlos gave a cry for help, while others say team doctor Lideo Toledo had walked in on Ronaldo convulsing on the floor.

Either way, the identity of who discovered him or what actually happened does not matter in this case – what mattered was the best footballer in there was currently on course to miss the entire World Cup final, an unthinkable worst-case scenario for any fan anywhere.

Improvisation at Its Finest

This is where John Motson comes in. One of the UK’s best-loved football commentators, he had been a defining voice of the sport for 30 years by the time the 1998 final came around, so it certainly wasn’t his first rodeo.

🇧🇷 Ronaldo Nazário, 46 yaşında!
👕 452 maç
⚽ 295 gol
🅰 75 asist

🎖 2x Ballon d'Or
🏆 2x Dünya Kupası

El Fenómeno. pic.twitter.com/onh0C2hHCp

— S Sport (@ssporttr) September 22, 2022

Even so, he was likely as stumped as everyone else in attendance when it was confirmed that Brazil’s star man had been left out of the squad entirely. Working for the BBC, Motson could only look on as others lost their heads around him.

A young and inexperienced Gary Lineker, with former Spurs winger and Frenchman David Ginola alongside him, could only do so much, and they were clearly taken off guard by the unexpected news. So when the coverage then flicked to Motson and his co-commentator Trevor Brooking, “Motty” was in his element.

What followed was one of the most famous pieces of televised football journalism in recent history. Clearly and concisely, Motson laid out facts in his typical, ice-cool and hyper-informative style, capturing the audience, before detailing the chaos that had been going on around him for the previous 40 minutes or so.

In his element, Motson commanded the screen so brilliantly that Brooking never had a chance to chime in, instead simply watching on from beside him with his mouth barely kept closed.

Forced to keep going, Motson did a wonderful job of keeping everyone’s attention, and at one point, at Brooking’s behest, Motson sent Ray Stubbs, another BBC broadcast legend, to ask Pele of all people to see if he knew what was going on!

Needless to say, Pele was as confused as anyone else and could only offer a shrug in reply. However, throughout all of this, Motson had another, different team sheet, one that had been sent in shortly before the broadcast had focused on him and the commentary box.

🌎📷 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN

Day 5/100: Motson Marks Moment Brazil Stood Still

Arriving at France 98 as the best player in the world, there seemed to be little stopping Ronaldo Nazário from bulldozing his and Brazil's way to the World Cup trophy.

However, on the… pic.twitter.com/rUjwR3jGze

— Football Park (@FP_CentreCircle) March 8, 2026

Officially submitted at 8:18, 30 minutes after the world-stopping first team sheet was sent to broadcast crews, this amended lineup showed that Ronaldo was in fact due to play, reinstated in his rightful spot in front of goal that Edmundo had originally occupied in the first sheet.

Motson had bridged the gap between certainty and uncertainty absolutely brilliantly, linking the bewilderment at Ronaldo’s exclusion to his eventual, equally controversial inclusion using all of the knowledge and nous he had gained in his 30-year career up to that point.

As for Ronaldo, it was one of his most famously quiet performances. Clearly not himself, he barely impacted the game as France romped to a 3-0 win, securing football’s grandest prize on home soil in a game which, in truth, they had been considered underdogs in.

Devastating news today that John Motson has passed away. The voice of football for over 50 years. For many us, he was the voice we grew up with, a massive part of us falling in love with the game. Thanks for the memories John, of which there are many. pic.twitter.com/ulMVL8gLtI

— 90s Footballers (@90sPlayers) February 23, 2023

Though the Brazilian’s performance was nothing to write home about, Motson’s certainly was – though he tragically passed in February 2023, he is remembered to this day for his calm demeanour, complete inability to become flustered, and his talent to create interest on the spot, with his commentary in the lead-up to the 1998 final the crowning glory of his career.

That is why it is a more than worthy entrant on our list. Rest in peace, Motty – your voice will always be remembered.