Rivaldo takes on the world

First he was voted World Soccer’s Player of the Year. Then came the European Footballer of the Year award from France Football. Now Vitor Bar bosa Ferreira, known to the wor ld as Rivaldo, is the clear favourite to win the accolade of FIFA Wor ld Footballer of the Year.

There can be few people who would begrudge the Brazilian star his success. Over the past 12 months Rivaldo has been the most consistently outstanding individual in wor ld football. With Barcelona, he has won successive Spanish league titles, scoring 24 goals from left midfield last season alone. At international level, his per formances at the Copa America helped restore pride and confidence to Brazil after the troubling events before, during and after the1998 Wor ld Cup final.

In many ways, Rivaldo is a most unlikely hero. He lacks the pop-star looks of David Beckham, the physical presence of Gabriel Batistuta, the explosive pace of Ronaldo. Instead, the bow-legged boy from Recife cuts a frail figure on the pitch. But the fragile frame belies an outstanding footballing brain and a steely determination born of having to make a 20km round trip to training on foot as a boy.

Last year, Rivaldo was reluctant to attend the FIFA Footballer of the Year gala in Barcelona when it emerged he would be receiving only an award as Spanish Player of the Season. Twelve months on in Brussels, things are ver y different.

Congratulations on being voted World Soccer’s Player of the Year for 1999. You must now have a very good chance of sweeping the board with all of this year’s awards.

My chances are good. I hope I win everything. Such a result would be an enormous satisfaction both for me and my family, especially since it was achieved coming off the back of Brazil’s defeat in the 1998 World Cup final. But there are other prospective candidates for the FIFA award, especially David Beckham.

Why Beckham?

Because not only is he an outstanding player, but with Manchester United he has won every important title possible: the English championship, the FA Cup, the biggest European club competition – the Champions League – and most recently the World Club Cup in Tokyo.

In the past year you have helped Barcelona win the Spanish league and Brazil the Copa America. Whom would Rivaldo choose to be the World Player of the Year for 1999?

Rivaldo.

Why?

Because I’m the best player. For example, I have scored more goals than Beckham. I accept though, that it is very important to win the Champions League. And this season, we at Barcelona have a very good chance of doing it. When we were knocked out at the first-round stage last year, we had a lot of new players in the side. Now we make a very strong and compact unit. For me, Barca remain the favourites to win the Champions League.

Who will be the biggest threats to Barcelona in the Champions League?

Real Madrid and Valencia, underlining the current strength of Spanish football. But also Manchester United, Lazio and Bayern Munich.

How much influence has Barca coach Louis van Gaal had on your development into the player many consider the world’s best?

It was vital for my development that I came to play in Europe. Even before arriving at Barca, I had played very well for Deportivo La Coruna and scored 21 goals in 41 games there. Van Gaal is my present coach but he is not greatly responsible for the high level at which I’m now playing. I have worked very hard for what I’ve achieved, but coming to Barcelona was the biggest opportunity of my career.

Barcelona have always brought in big stars from abroad, who reached the top, became idols, only to have difficulties with the club and its leadership. It was the case with Maradona, Schuster, Ronaldo, Romario and Cruyff. Can something similar happen to you?

I hope not and believe all will work out well for me here, even though I have an economic problem which has to be sorted out.

What is that?

After Ronaldo left Barca and I was recruited, president Nunez made me some financial promises which up to now have not been fully met. This the only problem I have at Barca and I trust it will at last be cleared up. I’m very fortunate to be here. I would only move from here in the event an extreme problem.

Who are the best strikers in the world?

Raul at Real Madrid, Claudio Lopez at Valencia, Christian Vieri of Internazionale and Gabriel Batistuta of Fiorentina. But for me, Ronaldo indisputably remains the best player in the world, that is when he recovers from his latest injury. I see myself as an attacking central midfielder, playing behind the strikers. There I have more space and freedom.

What does the number 10 shirt of the Brazilian national team mean to you?

Lots of pressure and still more responsibility. The number 10 means a huge commitment. Brazil’s legendary players wore that shirt –Pele, Zico, Rivelino. I have, however, no difficulty with it. I just prefer 11.

Why?

Because even as a young player I wore 11. Rivaldo was and is number 11. Especially for the fans. That’s the reason I carry on wearing this number at Barcelona. Even though the number 10 was available at the start of this season and was offered to me.

Who has been your hardest opponent? I don’t want to give any names, but German and English defenders have impressed me.

Who has had the most influence on your career up to this point?

Above all, my father. He was my first real coach but unfortunately lost his life in a car accident when I was 16. He made me a footballer, the one I remain today. The awards that I have won this past year, I have dedicated to him.

How do you see the rest of your career?

I thank God that up to now I’ve been spared bad injuries, the ones that take away some of your speed. But I don’t think I will still be playing beyond the age of 34 or 35. My mid-30s will be the end. Until then I aim to win as many titles as I possibly can and to earn enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my days.