In the summer of 2006, Germany ushered in the 18th edition of the FIFA World Cup, with 32 teams competing for the Hercules Cup. In this feast, there is one team that stands out, and that is Brazil. Brazil are the most successful team in World Cup history, they have won five titles, and their squad is also star-studded, with four world-class strikers known as the "Big Four": Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Adriano. Each of these four players has their own characteristics, Ronaldo is synonymous with speed and shooting, Ronaldinho is the embodiment of technique and creativity, Kaka is a master of agility and passing, and Adriano is a symbol of strength and explosiveness. They were considered the strongest line of attack in the world at that time, invincible and invincible.
Brazil were solid in the group stage, and although there were not too many surprises, there were not too many twists and turns, and they easily qualified for the knockout stage with three wins. In the first round of the knockout round, they met Ghana, an African dark horse who was known for their speed and physicality, causing plenty of problems for their opponents. However, the Brazilian team still relied on their strength and experience to win easily with a score of 3:0, in which Ronaldo broke the World Cup goal record and became the all-time top scorer. Brazil seem to have regained their form and their fans are expecting them to make history by lifting the Copa Hercules again.
However, Brazil's dreams were ruthlessly shattered in the quarterfinals, and their opponents were France. France won the 1998 World Cup, and they also have a number of excellent players, such as Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira, Claude Makellele, Thierry Henry, etc., whose quality should not be underestimated, and they have a deep grudge with Brazil. In the 1998 World Cup final, the French team defeated Brazil with a score of 3:0 to win their first Hercules Cup, while the Brazilian team was defeated in a humiliating posture, and Ronaldo did not play his level because of mysterious physical discomfort. This game left a deep scar on the Brazilian team, who have been desperate for a chance to get revenge, and this World Cup, they finally have such an opportunity.
However, Brazil's path to revenge was not as smooth as expected, and they were met with France's iron-clad defence and Zinedine Zidane's courageous performance. France's head coach Domenech developed a strategy against Brazil, he put Claude on Ronaldinho to cut off the core of Brazil's attack, he used Vieira and Macrealr to form a barrier in midfield to prevent Brazil's rapid counter-attack, and he used Thierry Henry and Ribery to create a threat up front to contain Brazil's defence. And most crucially, he gave Zidane free rein, allowing him to control the tempo of the game in midfield, and to develop his leadership qualities and creativity.
Zinedine Zidane showed his peak form in this game, he used his skill at his feet, wisdom in his eyes, and determination in his heart to firmly control the game, he used his exquisite passes, witty dribbling, and amazing long-range shots countless times, to put Brazil's midfield and defense in trouble, he was like a conductor, directing the French team's offensive and defensive transitions, he was like an artist, with his football, to paint a wonderful picture, he was like a king, with his authority, conquered the whole stadium.
The Brazilian team completely lost their style in this game, and their four heavenly kings were collectively in a slump and did not play at their own level. Ronaldo broke the World Cup scoring record, but his bloated stature, reduced speed, lack of shooting power, he did not create any chances in the game, and his performance was disappointing. Ronaldinho also didn't show his technique and creativity, he was firmly restrained by Makelele, his passes and dribbles were ineffective, and his performance was surprising. Adriano is even more useless, he is not physical enough, he is not explosive enough, he does not contribute in the game, his performance is doubtful. Only Kaka still had a few bright spots, his agility and passing still brought some threat to the Brazilian team, but he was unable to lead the whole team, and his performance was sympathetic. The four kings of the Brazilian team, none of them were able to save the team in this game, and their tears and regrets became a sad landscape in this World Cup.
As a result of the match, France defeated Brazil with a score of 1:0 to advance to the semi-finals, while Brazil regrettably said goodbye to the World Cup and ended their journey. This game, considered to be Zidane's classic, is also considered to be the Brazilian team's shameful battle, this game, let people re-understand the charm of football, but also let people re-examine the problems of the Brazilian team, this game, became the 2006 World Cup classic battle, but also became the Brazilian team's sad World Cup.
The defeat of the Brazilian team has sparked global attention and discussion, and people have analyzed and evaluated their performance, some believe that they are affected by injuries, fatigue, pressure, and tactics, some think that they are affected by their pride, complacency, and underestimation of their opponents, some think that they are suppressed by the strength, form, and mentality of the French team, and some believe that they are conquered by Zidane's myth, legend, and magic. Whatever the reason, or a combination of reasons, cannot change the fact that the Brazilian team did not live up to their expectations, did not show their level, did not fulfill their mission, did not achieve their dreams in this World Cup.
The four kings of the Brazilian team, in this World Cup, did not leave their footprints, did not create their history, did not prove their worth, did not win their honor. Their frustrated journey breaks the hearts of their fans, surprises their opponents, makes their companions regretful, and makes them feel remorse. Their tears and regrets have become their labels, their scars, their burdens, and their lessons.
The four kings of the Brazilian team, their names are Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Adriano, their story is the sad World Cup of the 2006 World Cup, and their ending is the tears and regrets of the four kings. Their story is a story about football, about dreams, about failure, about life, and their stories are worth remembering, reflecting, learning and respecting.