Memorable nights before World Cup finals: Ronaldo’s scare, Spain’s croissants...
Many legendary incidents occurred on the eve of a World Cup final. Here’s a look back at some anecdotes that entered the history books.
There are few nights more electrifying for anyone who’s ever dreamed of pulling on their country’s jersey than the eve of a World Cup final. That strange mix of childlike excitement — the kind you feel waiting for holiday gifts — and the crushing weight of knowing an entire nation’s hopes rest on your shoulders. It’s a night defined by two forces pulling in opposite directions: pure joy and overwhelming pressure. The yin and yang before the biggest match soccer can offer.
That tension filters out the ordinary from the extraordinary. Only those destined for eternal glory can withstand the emotional storm of a World Cup final eve and still rise high enough to etch their names into the trophy forever. And because these nights are so unique, they’ve produced some of the most unforgettable stories in soccer history.
Here are some of the best.
1950: The Maracanazo and Obdulio Varela’s newspaper rebellion
Let’s start with the oldest — the 1950 World Cup, the day Uruguay shocked Brazil in the legendary Maracanazo. Hours before the final, Uruguay’s captain Obdulio Varela saw a headline in the Brazilian newspaper O Mundo: “Here are the world champions.” The photo showed Brazil’s team.
Varela bought 20 copies, tossed them into the locker room bathrooms, and told his teammates to take a look. According to reports, the Uruguayans stomped on the papers — some even urinated on them. That arrogance lit the fire they needed. Uruguay walked into the Maracanã and stunned Brazil in their own temple, winning their second World Cup.
1998: Ronaldo’s mysterious convulsions
The night before the 1998 final nearly turned tragic. Brazil’s superstar Ronaldo Nazário suffered convulsions in his hotel room and was rushed to hospital. The first lineup Brazil submitted to FIFA didn’t include him. Hours later, a new lineup arrived — and Ronaldo was suddenly back in.
The confusion fueled decades of speculation. France won 3–0, and Ronaldo played far below his usual level. Afterward, he summed up the night with a line that still resonates: “I lost the World Cup, but I won my life.”
2002: Ronaldo’s haircut that fooled the world
Four years later, Ronaldo delivered a much happier story. During the 2002 World Cup, he was dealing with nagging injuries and constant media scrutiny. So he came up with a brilliant distraction.
On the eve of the semifinal against Turkey, he showed up with a bizarre haircut: shaved head, tiny patch of bangs. “Everyone was talking about my injury,” he said. “I cut my hair so they’d talk about that instead.”
It worked. Kids across Brazil copied the look, the press forgot the injury, and Ronaldo went on to win the World Cup and finish as the tournament’s top scorer.
2006: Cards, PlayStation and sleepless Italians
Italy entered the 2006 final under enormous pressure, with the Calciopoli scandal shaking the entire soccer system. The night before the final, Rino Gattuso couldn’t sleep. He knocked on Francesco Totti’s door at midnight and convinced him to play cards. They played until six in the morning.
With their hotel doors open, they could hear teammates playing PlayStation. Andrea Pirlo later immortalized the moment: “I spent the afternoon sleeping and playing PlayStation. At night, I went out and won the World Cup.”
2010: Spain’s chocolate‑croissant ritual
Spain’s story is… less nutritious. Gerard Piqué revealed on Twitch that the team had a pre‑match ritual: chocolate croissants and ColaCao the night before every game.
“Some guys ate three croissants,” he said. “Any nutritionist would freak out.”
They did it before the 2010 final too. Hours later, Andrés Iniesta scored the most iconic goal in Spain’s history — the 116th‑minute strike that delivered their first World Cup.
Messi breaks the pattern with total calm
And then came Messi, who approached the 2022 final in a way that defied every story before him.
He told ESPN: “We did what we always did. We talked, drank mate, played cards. Before sleeping, I talked with Antonela like every night. We were calm. The group had passed many tests. I knew things would happen the way they were meant to happen. I left everything in God’s hands.”
While others battled nerves, Messi embraced serenity — and hours later, lifted the first World Cup of his career.
The yin and yang of the biggest night in soccer
Destroying newspapers, wild haircuts, sleepless card games, sugar‑loaded midnight snacks, or total tranquility — every champion handles the pressure differently. But the night before a World Cup final always carries the same duality:
Illusion and tension. Excitement and fear. The yin and yang before the match every kid dreams of playing.
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.