In a World Cup disappointing for the early exit of many of the favorites and top players, one team stood out. Champion Brazil was the class of the 2002 World Cup for its individual talent and dominates Soccer America's World Cup All-Stars. The ''three Rs'' – Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho – accounted for 15 goals, veteran Roberto Carlos was outstanding on the left side. Brazil's defense took a lot of heat back home, but any team in the world would be ecstatic to have center backs such as the lanky pair of Edmilson and Lucio.
Oliver Kahn
Germany
Goalkeeper
After all he had done, how could you fault Ollie for dropping Rivaldo's shot that led to Ronaldo's winning goal in the final? German great Franz Beckenbauer put it simply: ''He saved our lives so many times.'' Kahn, who was 23 minutes away from tying a World Cup record with five straight shutouts, saved Germany with three world-class saves in the first half of its quarterfinal match with the United States and was dominant in the victory over South Korea in the semifinals, Germany's third 1-0 win in a row.
Edmilson
Brazil
Defender
Brazil's backline came in for heavy criticism early on, but there was little to fault with the 25-year-old Lyon defender. Inserted into the starting lineup for the third game against Costa Rica, Edmilson scored a brilliant goal against the Ticos with a twisting bicycle kick and remained in the first 11 the rest of the tournament. He was excellent in the air against England, Turkey and Germany, and he used his sense of anticipation learned as a defensive midfielder earlier in his career to cut out many dangerous balls.
Lucio
Brazil
Defender
Many will remember Lucio for his failure to trap the ball that led to Michael Owen's opening goal in the Brazil-England quarterfinal clash, but Lucio was a dominating force for Brazil. He controlled the air in the final against Germany and his long runs added a twist to the Brazilian attack lacking a true playmaker. The World Cup title makes up for a frustrating season at Bayer Leverkusen, which blew a big lead in the German Bundesliga to finish second and lost in the finals of the Champions League and German Cup.
Alpay Ozalan
Turkey
Defender
Alpay didn't get off to a good World Cup, causing a penalty that led to Brazil's winning goal in the opener and getting sent off for his trouble. But after he returned, Turkey settled down and shut out China, Japan and Senegal before falling to Brazil, 1-0, in the semifinals. Alpay, who plays for England's Aston Villa, commanded Turkey's defense, breaking up numerous attacks with his smooth tackling. The World Cup was sweet revenge for Alpay, who was the scapegoat for Turkey's exits from the 1996 and 2000 European Championships.
Song Chung Gug
South Korea
Right Back
Song epitomized the Koreans' all-action game, patrolling the length of the right wing. He was a two-way force, shutting down Portuguese star Luis Figo in the critical third game in Incheon and scoring Korea's second goal against Turkey in the third-place game. The 23-year-old Song was one of Korea coach Guus Hiddink's pet projects. Hiddink discovered him last year playing for the Pusan I.cons in the K-League and immediately drafted him into Korea's starting lineup. Song is attracting a lot of attention from European scouts.
Roberto Carlos
Brazil
Left Back
One of four starters who returned from Brazil's 1998 runner-up team, Roberto Carlos seems to have been around forever. But he's only 29 and still makes it look easy. At times, he was Brazil's left wing. In tight games, he hung back at left back. His effortless play was a calming influence on a team that depended too much on the all-running game of midfielders Gilberto Silva and Kleberson. It's hard to believe that Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari dropped Roberto Carlos last year.
Michael Ballack
Germany
Midfielder
Where would Germany have been without Ballack? Striker Miroslav Klose was the star with five goals in the first round, but he went scoreless the rest of the tournament. Ballack, who is joining Bayern Munich from Bayer Leverkusen, saved Germany with the lone goals in wins over the United States and South Korea. His header beat Brad Friedel in the quarterfinals, and he scored on his own rebound in the semifinals. Unfortunately, he picked up a second yellow card against South Korea and missed the final.
Pape Bouba Diop
Senegal
Midfielder
Bouba Diop, 24, was something of a late bloomer. He had languished in Switzerland until joining French runner-up Lens last winter and didn't become a starter on the Senegalese national team until the 2002 African Nations Cup. He became an instant celebrity with his winning goal against France in the World Cup opener and followed that up with two goals against Uruguay in the Lions' third game. At 6-foot-4, Boupa Diop is an imposing player with surprising skill. He could move to Manchester United this summer.
Ronaldinho
Brazil
Midfielder
Ronaldinho was, at 22, the youngest Brazilian player to play in this year's final. The Paris St. Germain star scored only two goals but had a big influence in Brazil's march to the title. He inspired Brazil's victory in the quarterfinals, setting up Rivaldo for the tying goal after a 40-yard run through the England defense and beating keeper David Seaman from 35 yards with a free kick for the winner. That game alone confirmed Ronaldinho's reputation as the new Brazilian prodigy.
Rivaldo
Brazil
Midfielder
With goals in Brazil's first five games, Rivaldo fell one game short of the World Cup record for goals in consecutive games. He had the winning goal in the second round against Belgium on a turn and volley and the tying goal against England in the quarterfinals. He didn't score in final but had a big hand in Brazil's victory. German keeper Oliver Kahn couldn't hold Rivaldo's fierce shot on Ronaldo's first goal, and Rivaldo's dummy run put Ronaldo in position to convert Kleberson's pass for the second goal.
Ronaldo
Brazil
Striker
Four years ago, Ronaldo suffered a mysterious illness in the hours before the final. The ailment rendered him useless, and Brazil lost to France, 3-0. There was considerable doubt that Ronaldo, suffering from a thigh injury, could play in the 2002 final, but he scored both goals to lead Brazil to a 2-0 victory. With eight goals, Ronaldo scored the most goals in a World Cup since German Gerd Mueller's 10 goals in the 1970 World Cup. His 12 goals leave him two short of Mueller's career record.