BEBETO

It was an expression of pure, unfettered joy, a celebration more touching than any post-touchdown dance any wide receiver or running back has ever performed in American football.

Bebeto, the Brazilian striker, had just taken a long, looping pass from Mauro Silva and scored his team’s second goal in its quarterfinal game against the Netherlands in the 1994 World Cup. More important, he had just become a father for the first time.

To commemorate both events, he mimicked cradling an infant in his arms and rocking it. The spontaneity of his gesture inspired an identical performance from teammate Romario, with whom Bebeto had reportedly been feuding.

It was a memorable moment in a memorable game, won by Brazil, 3-2, on an 81st-minute free kick by Branco, and a key step en route to its fourth championship.

Since then, Bebeto and his teammates have gone from rocking the baby to rocking the boat.

The 34-year-old forward with the great vision and uncanny ability to create scoring chances for teammates has traveled a long and difficult road to earn a starting spot in today’s World Cup semifinal here against the Netherlands.

Not until a nagging calf muscle injury sent Romario home from France on the eve of the tournament was Bebeto even sure of a place on the squad. He has struggled to keep it, ignoring jeers from fans and criticism from the media.

“I put a lot into preparing myself for this World Cup,” said Bebeto, who has played for half a dozen teams in the last few years as he sought to regain the form that made him and Romario perfect striking partners in 1994. “I had to prove that I was vital to the [Brazilian team] by playing well for Botafogo. This is the last competition for both [teammate] Dunga and myself, so every match has particular significance.”

His regard for Dunga, however, didn’t keep him from getting into a fight with the veteran midfielder during Brazil’s first-round game against Morocco. Apparently angered by Dunga’s habit of issuing orders on the field, Bebeto answered back angrily and the two almost came to blows before teammate Leonardo separated them.

And although Bebeto shares the team scoring lead with Cesar Sampaio, Rivaldo and Ronaldo with three goals each--and although he scored one of those goals to propel Brazil to a quarterfinal victory over Denmark--he has often been booed.

Fans prefer the younger, more dynamic Denilson. No less an authority than Brazilian idol Pele, now a TV commentator, said Coach Mario Zagallo should play the speedy Denilson instead of Bebeto up front with Ronaldo because Denilson would make better use of the space that opens when defenders flock toward Ronaldo.

“I expected to see more inspiration,” Pele said after Brazil’s first few games. “Individually, we are out in front, but as a team we are disorganized.”

Bebeto said he’s not bothered by such talk, and Zagallo has stuck with him, saying he wants Denilson to come off the bench and provide an offensive option against opponents’ tiring defenses as games wear on.

“Nobody likes to be booed or substituted. But everybody likes Denilson and Bebeto suffers the consequences,” Zagallo said. “Nobody wants Ronaldo to come off, so when I want to make a change, it’s always Bebeto who gets it.”

Said Bebeto: “I’m relaxed about this. My life has been full of difficult situations, which I have always overcome. I’m a world champion.”

Whether Brazil wins an unprecedented fifth World Cup championship may depend on whether Bebeto and his teammates can use their skills to further fracture a Dutch defense that has been cracked by Arthur Numan’s suspension and Winston Bogarde’s broken ankle.

With the Netherlands favoring a stylish attacking game that can create defensive openings, Bebeto and his teammates may be able to do some damage. Bebeto, for one, is confident.

“God is the most important thing to me,” he said, “but in my opinion, this Brazilian squad is the best this country has ever known.”