It comes as no surprise that the Brazilian media, that 800-pound monster that accompanies the team wherever it goes, should turn on them so abruptly following Brazil’s failed campaign in Germany . The New York Times notes the media couldn’t understand or forgive how Ronaldinho of all people, the man touted as THE star of this tournament, managed to disappoint almost beyond belief. Ronaldo may not have been exactly fleet-of-foot, but at least he pulled his considerable weight, scoring three times in four matches to become the tournament’s all time leading scorer. Ronaldinho’s contribution: a single assist in the third goal against Japan. His smiling face was pasted across the covers of countless magazines and newspapers; he also appeared on commercials and billboards. The Barcelona star’s performance, the Times says, “was not unlike the buildup and disappointment for the skier Bode Miller of the United States at the Winter Olympics in Turin.” In the game against France, which most pundits agree les Bleus won comprehensively, Ronaldinho, Robert Carlos, Cafu and Ronaldo were singled out for their “gutless” performances. Ronaldo said flatly: “France was the better team.” Meanwhile praise poured in on all sides for Zinedine Zidane. Pele, and Franz Beckenbauer, two of the greatest players in history, each affirmed that Zidane was simply “one of the greatest players in history.” The French press, which practically begged France coach Raymond Domenech to bench Zidane a few weeks ago, called him “a master without equal” following the game. One paper said, “he was more Brazilian than the Brazilians.”