Brazil's 2002 World Cup winners have reunited, but where are they now?
Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winning team have reunited two decades on, but where are they now? Iconic striker Ronaldo owns two clubs, Cafu is an ambassador for this year’s tournament in Qatar while one star recently played a Sunday League match in Shropshire!
- A number of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winning squad held a reunion on Thursday
- It marked 20 years since their 2-0 victory over Germany in the World Cup final
- Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Cafu were among the big name stars to turn up
- Sportsmail takes a look at what some of the legendary team are up to now
- Click here for all the latest World Cup 2022 news and updates
A number of Brazil’s legendary 2002 World Cup winning squad have come together for a reunion – 20 years since the day they lifted the trophy against Germany.
The 2002 World Cup winning squad included some of the game’s greatest players, including Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and Cafu.
On Thursday, the likes of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Cafu attended an event in Rio de Janeiro to mark the 20th anniversary.
Part of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winning squad have reunited 20 years on since their final win
Ronaldo, Cafu and Rivaldo were among the names to gather for the reunion in Rio de Janeiro
They posed with the World Cup trophy which, to this day, remains the last time they won the competition. While they also held the shirts that they wore on June 30, 2002.
Ronaldo was the star of the tournament scoring eight goals in total to win the Golden Boot and netting twice past Oliver Khan in the final.
A number of players were visibly absent from the reunion including Ronaldinho – who famously dumped England out at the quarter-final stage, and Kaka, who only played 25 minutes in the tournament at the age of 20.
Cafu who captained the side to glory, delivered a speech during the event to his team-mates.
Brazil are hoping that their 2022 squad will end the country’s 20 years of pain at the World Cup, with the South American nation going into the tournament as the early favourites.
Sportsmail takes a look at where some of the 2002 World Cup winning stars are today.
Brazil beat Germany 2-0 to win the World Cup, and it remains the last time they won the trophy
World Cup 2002 Brazil captain Cafu delivers a speech during the reunion on Thursday
Ronaldo
The legendary former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid striker scored eight goals during the tournament in Japan and South Korea to help Brazil on their way to a fifth World Cup triumph.
It was the iconic striker who also scored twice to seal the 2-0 victory in the final against Germany.
Later during his career he struggles with weight and injury issues and he eventually retired in 2011 following two years at Brazilian side Corinthians.
Today, the Brazilian owns two sides, including boyhood club Cruzeiro, who he invested $70 million into the club back in December.
He is also the owner of Spanish side Real Valladolid who recently got promoted back to LaLiga.
After his club earned promotion, he stuck to his promise of cycling 450km from Valladolid to Santiago de Compostela near the west coast of the country.
Ronaldo scored both goals in the final against Germany to seal the World Cup for Brazil
Ronaldo owns two clubs and cycled 450km after his Real Valladolid side earned promotion
A post shared by Ronaldo (@ronaldo)
Ronaldinho
The biggest moment at the 2002 World Cup for Ronaldinho arguably came in the quarter-finals when his long range free-kick dipped over David Seaman to knock England out of the tournament.
Ronaldinho was the best player on the planet for a period during his time at Barcelona and will go down as one of the sport’s most popular footballers for the joy he brought to the pitch.
The football legend was caught up in a scandal in March 2020, after he attempted to enter Paraguay with fake documents along with his brother.
A series of trials followed, as Ronaldinho was placed in a Paraguay prison where he ended up spending his 40th birthday, before later being released on house arrest.
He was released from house arrest after he and his brother who was also involved, were forced to pay £153,000 between them, as per Sky News.
Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos put on a star-studded charity game last month at Inter Miami’s stadium which included former team-mates as well as current stars like Vinicus Jr, Paul Pogba and Paulo Dybala.
After that, he also played in a tournament in Indonesia, where he provided training sessions for children in the country.
Ronaldinho famously knocked out England with his long-range free-kick at the World Cup
He still plays occasional charity games such as this one in Indonesia which was held last week
Roberto Carlos
Widely regarded as one of the greatest left-backs of all time, Roberto Carlos retired from football after a short spell with Indian side Delhi Dynamos back in 2015.
He also managed the Indian side as well as Sivasspor and Akhisar Belediyespor in Turkey.
The 49-year-old made an unlikely return to action earlier this year as he came on to play for a Shropshire-based Sunday League team.
Playing for Bull in the Barne, he showed some nice touches after coming on as a first-half substitute before later coming back on to score a penalty against Harlescott Rangers at Hanwood Village Hall Recreation Centre.
He turned up for the club named after a local pub, after they won a charity Dream Transfer raffle on eBay in January.
Carlos also took part in the Soccer Aid charity match at the London Stadium last month.
Roberto Carlos took part in the Soccer Aid charity match at the London Stadium last month
Carlos scored from the penalty spot while playing a friendly match for Shrewsbury and District Sunday League side ‘Bull in the Barne United’ back in March earlier this year
Carlos poses with team-mates after the Sunday League side won a raffle for him to play
Rivaldo
Rivaldo also contributed massively to Brazil’s World Cup win, finishing third on the overall goalscoring charts as he netted on five occasions.
His tournament was also remembered for his theatrical dive when he went down holding his face after Turkey’s Hakan Unsal petulantly booted the ball at his leg and got a red card thanks to the Brazilian’s antics.
Rivaldo now lives in Florida where is normally taking pictures of him and his wife, either on the beach or working out.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CetnksyuIeS/
A post shared by Rivaldo Ferreira (@rivaldo)
He brought Mogi Mirim in 2008, the club that signed him back in 1992. He returned as a player for the 2014-15 season where aged 43, he played alongside 20-year-old son Rivaldinho in a Brazilian second division match, with both getting on the scoresheet.
Although once adored by Mogi fans, the relationship started to sour when Rivaldo changed the name of the stadium in homage to his father.
Following growing criticism he sold the club in July 2015.
Rivaldo scored five goals for Brazil on their way to glory in the 2002 World Cup
Rivaldo (pictured at the reunion) now spends his time with his wife living in Florida
Cafu
Cafu is regarded as one of the best full-backs in history and one of Brazil’s greatest ever players – captaining them to glory in 2002.
The former AC Milan defender is the only man to play in three World Cup finals and he is an ambassador for this year’s tournament in Qatar.
Post retirement he has dedicated himself to his business and charitable work including his own foundation.
Fundacao Cafu is located in Jardim Irene where Cafu was born and grew up.
Post retirement Cafu has dedicated himself to charitable work, including his own Foundation – Fundacao Cafu- which closed in 2019 due to financial difficulties.
He has also launched an autobiography series, A saga Cafu, in which he recounts the story of his early playing days, winning his first titles, being called up the Brazil squad, winning the World Cup, and playing in Spain and Italy.
Cafu captained Brazil to glory in 2002 and is the only man to play three World Cup finals
He is an ambassador for this year’s World Cup and was part of the draw for the tournament
Gilberto Silva
The Arsenal Invincible was the wall in Brazil’s midfield, providing their attacking players the freedom to express themselves and dominate games.
Since retiring in 2013, he has worked as a pundit, as a technical director for Panathinaikos and also as an agent.
He has notably worked as the agent of Manchester United midfielder Fred, with the former Gunner helping him seal his £52million to Old Trafford from Shakhtar Donetsk back in 2018.
Gilberto Silva was the defensive bedrock that allowed Brazil’s attacking players to flourish
Silva has also been a patron of The Street League, a UK based charity which organises football matches for homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers.
When he first moved to England, he took up mandolin lessons and played publicly at his local pub in St Albans.
Also bizarrely, he has a giant anteater named after him at London Zoo, in which he is an adoptee of the animal.
2002 World Cup winning squad
Marcos (GK), Cafu, Lucio, Roque Junior, Edmilson, Roberto Carlos, Ricardinho, Gilberto Silva, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Dida, Juliano Belletti, Anderson Polga, Kleberson, Junior, Denilson, Vampeta, Juninho, Edilson, Luizao, Rogerio Ceni and Kaka
Manager – Luiz Felipe Scolari
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