But he also arrives having scored 12 goals in the World Cup and needs only three more to overtake Gerd Muller's all-time record of 14.

Before the tournament started he said: "I know I am not in the greatest form but I will prepare myself and shut up the critics.

"The World Cup is the greatest motivation for any player. My personal hurricane will end."

The worry for Ronaldo is, unlike four years ago, Brazil can probably win the World Cup without him.

Ronaldinho is now their best player, their inspiration and, officially, the best player in the world.

Scorer Kaka and Adriano had excellent games in midfield, captain Cafu was inspirational as ever, Juan and Lucio outstanding at the back.

Ronaldo has had bad games before, but this was his 100th appearance for Brazil -- not all of them in full internationals -- and he has not had too many worse ones than this.

Apart, of course, from the 1998 World Cup final in Paris.

He bounced back from that one but whether he can spark back to life after Tuesday's performance will be one of the talking points all over the world before Brazil meet Australia in their next match on Sunday.