5 conspiracy theories in football 

#4 Nike’s Just do It

Ronaldo was sponsored by Nike

School days were fun at times. Whenever we saw someone wearing an outfit made by Nike, we immediately teased that person by going near her/him and saying, ‘Just do it!”

Of course, that’s what the tagline of the famous sports kit manufacturer is. It is definitely a very catchy one since whoever knows Nike knows their tagline as well. However, there is a conspiracy theory surrounding the famous brand which takes the ‘taking things too seriously’ quote to another level entirely.

The 1998 World Cup was one of the best tournaments of the last millennium. Brazil were to football what Australia was to cricket – and both of them, coincidentally, wore yellow – and were the favourites to win the World Cup final by beating hosts France.

The day before the game, star striker Ronaldo Nazario fell sick and wasn’t supposed to play in the final. However, according to some reports, Nike forced Brazil to play the then young striker – who was sponsored by Nike – in the final.

In the end, though, France – sponsored by Adidas – won 3-0 and lifted the World Cup for the first time in its history.

‘Just do it’ isn’t always good after all.