Before the match against Australia, Ronaldinho said the problem with Ronaldo was that he needed to play with more happiness. The grimace we saw yesterday, however, from the Real Madrid striker was largely of petulance. He snarled, he sulked and -- only momentarily -- smiled.
Ronaldo knew that this game could be his last if he gave the same dispirited performace as in the opener against Croatia. The consensus in the Brazilian media was that coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was willing to give his No9 one last chance to prove that he deserved a place in the champions' line up.
In the 71 minutes he spent on the pitch, Ronaldo certainly went a little way to prove that he still has some role to play in the rest of the World Cup. He received Ronaldinho's through-ball and sidefooted a perfectly-timed square pass to Adriano for Brazil's first goal. He made a few other neat flicks and passes, and on one occasion dribbled across the Australia defence and speculatively shot just over.
"Today was a lot better compared to the first game," he said. "It's something else to play with no kind of worry. I'm happy with the way I played. You have to have patience. A goal will come, I'm sure, in my next game."
Yet Ronaldo may not have gone far enough. He still does not look fully fit and his sharpness -- like all fading greats -- is not what it was. His runs felt unthreatening and in the 36th minute, in what was possibly his best chance, he received a chip from Kaka a few metres from the goal. He fluffed it and fell on his behind, a symbolic reminder of his loss of touch.
The worst indictment of Ronaldo's contribution, however, came when he was substituted by his club team-mate Robinho. Immediately, as against Croatia, the team looked more like Brazil, the attacks were more fluent, and the crowd became delirious. "When Australia gave us more space, we shone," said Parreira. "Robinho coming on was fundamental. We imposed our rhythm and Brazil won."
Ronaldo will also be worried about his position after the introduction of Fred, who scored one minute and 46 seconds after coming on. Whatever Parreira's reasons, he now at least has a plan B with momentum. Fred said that he had been blessed by God for scoring the goal. In contrast to the blasé demeanour of many of Brazil's biggest stars, Fred tried to steal the ball he scored with -- in order to get the rest of the team to sign it -- until it was confiscated by a Fifa representative.
Parreira was positive about Ronaldo's performance. "In relation to the previous game there was a big difference. It's logical that he needs a bit more time to get into better shape." He said Ronaldo would play in the final group game against Japan on Thursday but that others may be rested. "Because we've already qualified, lets us look at this calmly. We'll talk with our medical department and see if it's worth resting some players." The message seemed to be that Ronaldo neither ruined his chances, nor guaranteed his place.
Ronaldo's state of mind may have been affected by the death on Saturday of Bussunda, one of Brazil's top comedians, who was in Germany recording sketches for the hit show Casseta & Planeta. Bussunda, who was 43, was overweight and famous for his impersonations of Ronaldo. In a statement, the CBF said Ronaldo was sad to hear of the death of the man who imitated him "to perfection". Sources close to Ronaldo were not happy with the way the condolence was phrased.
Despite the pressure, Ronaldo still receives huge affection from fans. Before the match began he was the only of the Brazilian players to have his name chanted in unison. Within two minutes of kick-off, he showed a piece of skill classier than anything in the entire Croatia game, jugglling the ball and flicking it over his head for Kaka to shoot just wide.
Adriano was more in evidence yesterday too yet no matter how many wonderful tricks or runs made by Ronaldinho and Kaka, the front line of the magic quartet was again lacking. "If we stay still, things get difficult," said Adriano. "But if we move around more, like we did today, we end up creating more space."
Far from demonstrating happiness on the pitch, Ronaldo showed off an attitude. He almost got carded for shoving Lucas Neill while waiting for Ronaldinho to take a free-kick. Later he did receive a yellow for continuing play -- and finding the net -- after the referee blew his whistle.
Ronaldo's angry and smirking face could be the image he leaves behind in this World Cup. On the other hand, the man who won the competition for the hugest smile of the game was Fred. The Lyon striker had such a huge grin when he scored he looked as if he had won the lottery. Instead he may have won himself a place in the team.
