“Zagallo fought with Romário to secure my place in the Olympic team”- Rivaldo recalls the bittersweet memories of 1996

Author: Soorya G

Rivaldo, a name that has gone down in Brazilian soccer history, has crossed the realms of international soccer, from World Cup qualifiers to the Copa America, the Olympics and two World Cup tournaments. In an engaging interview, the legendary striker recalled his moments wearing the illustrious Canarinho shirt, shedding light on one episode in particular. He revealed a fascinating story in which legendary Brazilian coach Mario Zagallo fought a battle of sorts with Romário to secure his inclusion in the team for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

In his quest to assemble his Olympic dream team, the coach faced the unique challenge of selecting three players over the age of 23. Rivaldo, Bebeto and Aldair were chosen to fill these coveted positions. Rivaldo told us honestly: “I vividly remember Zagallo himself saying: ‘Come on, Rivaldo, I faced Romário because of you’. It was as if he was sharing this information, applying a bit of pressure” recalled the retired conductor.

Expanding on this intriguing story, he continued: “I was undoubtedly considered one of the best players in Brazil, so my inclusion was based on merit. I had no responsibility for Romário’s absence. There were times when Zagallo said: ‘I want you to perform exceptionally well because I could have brought in Romário’.”

Reflecting on the third-place play-off that culminated in Brazil’s victory, Rivaldo shared a bittersweet sentiment. “I experienced a complex mixture of happiness and melancholy. As I savored the bronze medal, I was fully aware of the prevailing desire for Olympic gold. Brazil currently has two medals in this category, but in the past the players have been heavily criticized for not winning Olympic gold” he observed shrewdly.

Despite being relatively inexperienced in the World Cup arena, Rivaldo managed to secure a starting position throughout the tournament. He once again spoke about the importance of solidifying one’s position through performance on the pitch, using the example of former player Giovanni.

Concluding with a reflection on Brazil’s defeat in the final to France, Rivaldo recalled the plethora of conspiracy theories that arose to explain the defeat. He vividly remembered the reactions of bewilderment, even within his own family.

The esteemed former striker concluded emphatically: “I would never go onto the pitch with the intention of losing. If such a scenario were to occur, I would refrain from taking the field. In all my life, I’ve never come across a situation where someone offers incentives to lose deliberately. I’m very far from such practices, especially in the context of a World Cup.“