Former Brazil midfielder Emerson Ferreira has spoken of his heartbreak at missing out on the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea and revealed that he has not spoken to head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari since the occasion.
The then-AS Roma player was captain of the national team under Big Phil at the turn of the century and was seen as a vital component of a very strong side, until a dislocated shoulder in training put paid to his participation.
And it was Scolari who decided that the player would take no part in the tournament, choosing not to call him up and hope for a recovery as the competition progressed.
Emerson told Goal: “It was the worst day for me. I was captain under Scolari but he treated me like everyone else. I never talked to him after that.”
The coach himself said on the matter: “The experience I had that day was awful. I would not want to live it again on the eve of a World Cup. It was the worst 15 minutes in selection participation.”
Brazil of course went on to win the tournament, beating Germany in the final as Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho basked in the glories of their individual and team performances. But for Emerson, the pain still lingers 14 years on.
