Rivaldo calls it quits
In an interview with Greek sports newspaper Protathlitis, Brazilian legend Rivaldo, who has spent the last two years in Greece with Olympiakos, said that this year will most likely be his last in the game because he was, “tired of playing so many matches and of so much pre-season training“.
In truth Rivaldo’s career has been in decline since his glory days at Barcelona in the late 90s when he helped the Catalan giants to successive championships and also won World and European player of the year. He was part of the fearsome 3R attacking trident at the 2002 World Cup along with Ronaldo and Ronadinho. He then moved to Milan but never managed to reproduce his Barca form. After a brief stint in Brazil he returned to Europe and the promise of the Champions League with Olympiakos. However like compatriot Giovanni, Rivaldo seemed to find the Greek football dull. He performed when he had to - in Europe and in the derby matches against AEK and Panathinaikos. This would buy him enough time with the fans who would then ignore his mediocre games against teams like OFI, Kallithea or Egaleo when it was obvious he could not be bothered. However, even in his better games with thrilos he was a shadow of the player we all knew. Let’s face it, if he wasn’t, he would not be playing in Greece. So well done Rivaldo for finally bowing out while we can still remember your undoubted qualities! For those of you that can’t, here’s a taste of Ribo at his peak: his hat-trick goal in the 88th minute at the end of the 2000-2001 season which guaranteed Barcelona Champions League football:
