Ronaldinho - ready to take final by storm. (Allsport)

By Mark Bradley, PA Sport Chief Soccer Writer, Yokohama

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Even within Brazil's explosive attacking force of the 'three R's', there is still a hierarchy and Ronaldinho has so far been very much the third amigo.

The 22-year-old striker has nevertheless already begun to emerge from the considerable shadow cast by Ronaldo and Rivaldo.

And his return for Sunday's final against Germany following a one-match ban offers the ideal stage for him to make his own indelible impression on the World Cup.

Then again, England are just one team who have already suffered at the hands of a player named Ronaldo de Assis Moreira but known simply as Ronaldinho.

For it is Ronaldinho who embarked on that sizzling 40-yard run through the centre of their defence before slipping a sideways ball to Rivaldo to put Brazil level just before half-time in the quarter-final clash.

And it is Ronaldinho who dominates David Seaman's nightmares after his freak 30-yard free-kick sailed over the stranded goalkeeper's head.

That he was then sent off for a rash tackle on Danny Mills that merited little more than a yellow card ensured he was a spectator for the semi-final win against Turkey.

However, every sight of him exhorting his team-mates from the bench was greeted by fervent applause from the Brazilian carnival in the stands.

He felt the tension as much as they did. And it showed.

"It was my most nervous time in the World Cup as I suffered a lot. The only way I could help my team-mates was by shouting at them and trying to help motivate them," admitted Ronaldinho.

For all the penetration of Rivaldo and the finishing prowess of Ronaldo, Brazil still missed Ronaldinho's ability to exuberantly run at defences. Germany beware on Sunday.

"I don't owe anything to anyone. I just owe it to myself to do the best I can and a little bit more. I am not only happy to come back, I am very excited. This is a very special match but I feel good," he added.

"For me, it is a dream to be in a World Cup final. It will not be easy as Germany have a very strong team and they are very concentrated on the pitch. They don't get nervous."

Not that nerves affect Ronaldinho, or at least not on the pitch.

He has been heralded as the next star of Brazilian football for several years now, the English version of Joe Cole in his teenage years, and he shares the West Ham midfielder's natural talent, self-belief and wide grin.

For he loves the game with a passion. And that shows too. With Ronaldinho, as with Cole, what you see is what you get.

The Brazilian's progress is considerably more advanced than his English counterpart's, however, with 29 caps, 12 goals and a shortlist for FIFA's player of this World Cup.

Diego Simeone once became so infuriated with Ronaldinho he resorted to grabbing him round the neck, but he is not alone in experiencing those frustrations.

His first international goal said everything about his potential. Against Venezuela in the Copa America, he flicked the ball over one defender's head, then deftly beat another before coolly volleying home.

It reminded some observers of the young Pele at the 1958 World Cup final against Sweden and the comparisons - the hardest of all to live up to - have continued ever since.

Ronaldinho has spent just one season in European football so far, given that a contract dispute amid his move from Gremio in Brazil to Paris St Germain kept him out of the game for five months, but he scored nine league goals in that time.

There was apparently even the chance at one point that he could have joined St Mirren on loan, although a move that would have rather stretched the bounds of credulity never came off.

It has therefore not all been plain-sailing. Former Brazil boss Wanderley Luxemburgo once dropped him for supposedly being overweight.

The response was pure David Ginola after a similarly eccentric blast from John Gregory. Ronaldinho scored a goal of pure class and promptly lifted his shirt to point out his muscle-toned stomach. Point taken.

He even had to cope with the tragedy of his father's death in a swimming pool accident when he was just eight years old.

However, the potential is now reality. Scolari, who once coached Ronaldinho at Gremio as a 14-year-old, has nurtured him into an international regular.

And having hero-worshipped Romario as a youngster, he effectively brought the striker's international career to an end by replacing him in the national side.

Ronaldo certainly appreciates his namesake's impact. "His return is definitely a plus for us," he said ahead of Sunday's final.

"We have been replacing him very well as we have a great bench, but of course it is good news that the Ro-Ri-Ro trio is now back in shape."

And even in that illustrious company, Ronaldinho could eventually become the first among equals.