Where next for Rivaldo?

Remember Rivaldo? He was basically Ronaldinho before there was a Ronaldinho, starring for Barcelona and Brazil and wowing the world with lots of impossible looking skills. Well the now 35 year old has spent the last three seasons playing for Olympiakos in Greece, a slightly odd choice for a final career stop, but who are we to argue? The midfielder has won three league titles and two cups in his three years there and been an all round hit.

It had been announced that the Brazilian playmaker would be sticking around and giving Greek defenders nightmares for a fourth season, but that all changed today. Rivaldo told everyone at a press conference that he was leaving Olympiakos, effective immediately.

“The president disappointed me and I cannot stay when I am not happy,” said Rivaldo. “He did not keep his word. This is nothing to do with money but it is a question of dignity.” He won’t be playing in Olympiakos’ final match on Sunday or celebrating the league title, but will be donating the remainder of his salary to Greek and Brazilian charities.

Seems there’s been some falling out over how much they were going to pay the man for a fourth season, but the big question is where next for Rivaldo?

He may be 35, but he still has the skills (15 goals in 24 Greek Super Leage games this season) and he’d be a perfect candidate for MLS. If any team out there still has a designated player spot they want to throw a boat load of money at, they could snap up Rivaldo for a season and give the league a further boost profile wise.

And if anyone out there has forgotten how good he is/was (delete as appropriate) cast your mind back to this stunning overhead kick that not only completed a Rivaldo hat trick, but also qualified Barcelona for Champions League football just in the nick of time.

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Category: MLS, Spain La Liga, World Football