Japan and South Korea jointly hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2002. Brazil won the competition and became champions for the fifth time in their history. In addition to being the first World Cup to be contested in Asia, this one was also the first to be jointly hosted by two nations. Brazil was one of the tournament's favorites going into it, but they faced some challenges on the way to the championship game. They were placed in a challenging group in the group stage with China, Turkey, and Costa Rica. Brazil's round of 16 matchups with Belgium in the knockout rounds. With goals from Rivaldo and Ronaldo, they prevailed 2-0.
After that, they played England in the quarterfinals, which turned out to be a close match. Brazil triumphed 2-1. Brazil once again played Turkey in the semifinals. This time, Ronaldo's goal gave them a 1-0 victory. They competed against Germany in the championship match, which they lost. Ronaldo's seventh goal of the competition gave Brazil the advantage in the 67th minute. As Ronaldo scored once more to make it 2-0, they sealed the victory. Brazil won the match 2-0 and won the championship for the sixth time.
However, 21 years after the win, where are the players right now? Let’s find out.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth | Where are they now? |
1 | GK | Marcos | 4 August 1973 | Retired in 2012 |
2 | DF | Cafu (c) | 7 June 1970 | FIFA and UEFA ambassador |
3 | DF | Lúcio | 8 May 1978 | Retired in 2020 |
4 | DF | Roque Júnior | 31 August 1976 | Last coached Brazilian club Ituano in 2017 |
5 | DF | Edmílson | 10 July 1976 | Started coaching |
6 | DF | Roberto Carlos | 10 April 1973 | Coached in Turkey and Delhi Dynamos in 2015 |
7 | MF | Ricardinho | 23 May 1976 | Coached several Brazilian clubs |
8 | MF | Gilberto Silva | 7 October 1976 | Currently serves as an ambassador for both Arsenal and FIFA |
9 | FW | Ronaldo | 22 September 1976 | Owns Real Valladolid |
10 | MF | Rivaldo | 19 April 1972 | Minority shareholder of Romanian Liga I club Farul Constanța and Barcelona ambassador |
11 | MF | Ronaldinho | 21 March 1980 | Barcelona ambassador |
12 | GK | Dida | 7 October 1973 | Milan’s goalkeeping coach from 2020 to 2022. |
13 | DF | Juliano Belletti | 20 June 1976 | Currently the head coach at Barcelona Atlètic |
14 | DF | Ânderson Polga | 9 February 1979 | Retired in 2013 |
15 | MF | Kléberson | 19 June 1979 | MLS’ New York City FC Assistant coach |
16 | DF | Júnior | 20 June 1973 | Retired in 2010 |
17 | FW | Denílson | 24 August 1977 | Sports commentator |
18 | MF | Vampeta | 13 March 1974 | Last coached Gremio Osasco |
19 | MF | Juninho | 22 February 1973 | From 2013 to 2018, Juninho was a football commentator for Brazilian sports network Rede Globo. |
20 | FW | Edílson | 17 September 1971 | Football pundit |
21 | FW | Luizão | 14 November 1975 | Playing for Polish club Pogoń Szczecin |
22 | GK | Rogério Ceni | 22 January 1973 | Bahia Football Club Head Coach |
23 | MF | Kaká | 22 April 1982 | FIFA Ambassador |
Also Read | 2000s All-Star: Best Football XI
