Author: Soorya G
Rivaldo, a central figure and one of Brazil’s main stars in winning the 2002 World Cup, shockingly revealed that he was about to leave the national team shortly before the tournament. Although he became a central figure in Brazil’s success, a little-known fact is that he considered leaving the national team for fear of not being included in the squad.
In an interview with the Brazilian media, Rivaldo revealed: “I used to say: ‘I don’t think Felipão will put me in. If he doesn’t, I’ll leave’“. This revelation was made in a telephone conversation with Carlito Arini, who acted as Rivaldo’s agent for many years and who had to absorb the shock of this announcement. Carlito said: “We spoke often, and he turned to me and said: ‘I’m going back to Brazil; I’m not going to play in the World Cup’. I asked him: “Did you hurt yourself?” and he said: “No, no. If he (Felipão) doesn’t include me tomorrow, I’ll take my things and leave’“.
Carlito emphasized his certainty that Rivaldo would actually go through with his decision, saying: “If you don’t know the person, you might think he’s bluffing, but I knew he would leave. I even thought: ‘I’ll pick you up at the airport the day after tomorrow“.
Rivaldo, who played for several clubs including Palmeiras, São Paulo, Corinthians and Barcelona during his illustrious career, explained that this decision was motivated by his concern about missing out on the World Cup, especially after recovering from injury and following Brazil’s defeat at the previous World Cup in 1998 to France.
He recalled his feelings at the time: “I’m grateful to Felipão for everything he’s done, for taking me to the World Cup while I was injured and everything. But I was recovering, I’d played the match against Malaysia, it was the week of the game, and he hadn’t announced the starting line-up. He mentioned a few names, including mine, and then withdrew them. Players like to be confirmed before the training camp.“
Rivaldo’s apprehensions stem from his perspective on how a player’s journey unfolds during the World Cup. For him, the players need to give their best from the very first match, given the demands of the tournament, which included seven matches until the final. Rivaldo shared: “I saw myself in the starting line-up for the World Cup based on the game against Turkey. I scored a penalty, provided an assist for Ronaldo, and that was it. Because it wasn’t such a good game, and the press bring you down. That happened with Giovanni. He didn’t do anything to be substituted and not play another minute, but he went to the World Cup, played 45 minutes as a starter and never played again.“