I guess for me, he was THE player to look up to when growing up. Seeing him from his early days, eagerly watching out for this young superstar talent at the 94 world cup, watching a few PSV games, the Umbro Cup and then Barcelona. That goal v Compestela was frightening. It was the equivalent of Jonah Lomu just tearing through players but with poise, power, balance and then the finish. Sir Bobby was in awe.
The 98 world cup,he announced his arrival to superstardom. But that final, the convulsions haunted him. But his world cup scoring legacy had begun. He recovered to win the Copa America, top scoring again.
Then watching him almost single handedly challenge Juve and Zizou, Davids, Del Piero and co for the studetto. The elastic, the stepover, this guy trademarked them. He redefined the modern player in my mind. Unplayable.
That first cruciate injury was devastating. Returning after a year he then broke down within minutes of his comeback.
He never was the same. The way he would be able to turn within a flash, pick it up from the halfway line and tear through the heart of the opposition. Now he reinvented himself as a poacher. But his goal scoring prowess never faltered. For him to return after 2 years out and inspire Brazil (a brazil side who just about qualified without him) and bury the ghosts of four years before to top score it he tournament and score two in the final... Unbelievable.
Ahhh memories. Like I say, I guess my view is skewed as he was for me the player of my generation.