Unforgettable wearing the Amarelinha, five-time world champion Rivaldo missed the Brazilian National Team. Residing in Orlando, United States, the former player followed the training session of Dorival Júnior’s team at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on this Friday (31).
“This is the first time I’ve accompanied a training session of the Brazilian National Team since 2003. I’m happy to be able to be here, to be able to see the players, to have talked to the coach. It’s something that makes me start to remember everything I had for the Brazilian National Team, the training sessions, the games,” said the former player, elected the best in the world in 1999.
READ MORE
++ UEFA Champions League: Which Brazilian players have scored in a final?
++ Who are the Brazilians with the most UEFA Champions League titles?
++ How many Champions League titles does Vinicius need to match Cristiano Ronaldo?
“You can imagine being training, thinking about the game, it’s really cool to be in this environment. So, I’m very happy to be here,” Rivaldo added.
One of the highlights of the National Team in the conquest of the 2002 World Cup, Rivaldo played for the Amarelinha in 78 games and scored 38 goals, an average of almost one ball in the net every two games. In addition to the World Cup title, the 51-year-old former player won the Umbro Cup in 1995, the Confederations Cup in 1997, and the Copa América in 1999 with the National Team. He was also runner-up at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Rivaldo was invited by Rodrigo Caetano, general executive coordinator of the Men’s National Teams, to watch the training session. The two played together at Mogi Mirim in 1993 in the famous “Carrossel Caipira” that made history in São Paulo football.
“I want to thank Rodrigo Caetano. I have a special affection for him. We played together in the Carrossel Caipira. This time, he called me and I came here to see the players. I’m happy to relive this atmosphere,” said the 52-year-old Pernambuco native.
The National Team is in Orlando preparing for the dispute of the Copa América, which begins on the 20th. A champion in the 1999 edition, he gave advice to the current squad.
“The players have to go all out to win. The Copa América is important to win. I always say that Brazil is always the favorite in any competition they will compete in. We have the best players,” Rivaldo said.
Known for his more introverted and discreet side, Rivaldo let football speak for him, as he never disappointed when the goal was to express himself with genius and technique in his finishes. At the World Cup held in Japan and South Korea, the number 10 shirt scored in every game until the quarterfinals.
Although he did not score in the final against Germany, Rivaldo was equally important. It was he who risked the shot from outside the area, which led to the rebound from goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and the goal on the rebound from Ronaldo. In the second goal, Rivaldo showed his intelligence by making a cut-through for Fenômeno, leaving him free to seal the Brazilian title.
The former player believes that the players called up by Dorival Júnior are on the right track for the 2024 World Cup.
“It’s always good to have great players, who share the responsibility, and you see Vinicius Júnior the way he has been playing, he has everything to be the Ballon d’Or for what he has shown at Real Madrid. Brazil is the favorite for the Copa América and the World Cup. I have a lot of confidence in all these players,” Rivaldo concluded.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
