Rivaldo, the second brazilian champion awarded with the golden ball

N. 2/2000

This is a prize that now, after a year, perhaps contributes to making less painful the memory of that sad Parisian night.
Vitor Borba Ferreira, in short Rivaldo, the 27-year-old Brazilian football player who plays with Barcelona, was awarded the Golden Ball 1999. He succeds French player Zinedine Zidane, the man who scored two goals to Brazil in the final of the World Championship in France in 1998, making the champion from Recife live the worst moment of his career.
Like his fellow countryman Ronaldo, Rivaldo left in tears the Parisian stadium. That night Zidane's heritage was even heavier. The Juventus player, who had been called for years "the black cat" of the French team, finally managed to shake off the awkward label of a man who brings bad luck. But now this label seemed to be destined to Rivaldo, who, according to Brazilian coach Mario Zagallo, brought talent but also bad luck to the Brazilian team.
Indeed, the Brazilian champion shared a number of defeats with his national team, thus gaining until the America Cup 1999 the reputation of a very unlucky player.
Rivaldo's childhood is marked by the tragic accident occurred to his father Romildo, who was run over by a municipal bus and whom his 17-year-old son vainly awaited all the night long. His father always spurred him to become a football star and thus his absence also left a void in his son's motivations. Yet, from this moment on this thin boy starts a successful career: everybody is enchanted by the way he plays the ball with his left food. He starts his career with Corinthias and then he makes his debut in the national team, together with great players like Dunga and Leonardo, scoring the decisive goal in Brazil's win over Mexico. It is December 1993 and after just three months he plays with the national team a friendly match against Argentina in Recife, his native town. According to what he said, this was the most beautiful time of his life. He plays before his family and all those who would never believe he could manage to get to the top.
The rest is current history. Starting from his arrival in Europe, where he plays with Deportivo, then with Coruna and Barcelona, which is the last stage of his career. His run towards the world cup is stopped by coach Zagallo, who leaves him out of the national team as he needs a scapegoat after the great disappointment at Atlanta Olympic Games.
In fact, Brazil loses the semifinal against Nigeria after winning 3-0 on the Africans. Rivaldo plays in the second half-time and after losing a ball at the midfield, the "Black Eagles" manage to create an action thanks to which they get closer to their favourite rivals.
In Brazil, a country where rites, macumbas and rumours are more important than the law, certain stories easily become widespread. Yet, Rivaldo is no more a teenager who has to deal with existential problems. Behind his melancholic look there is strong temper, thanks to which he is able to succed also outside the playing field. Facts speak for him. Twenty one goals in his first season with Deportivo, after which he goes playing with Barcelona. With this team he scores 43 goals in two seasons and wins two championships, a Cup Winners' Cup and an European Supercup. Everything is now ready for the most important event, i.e. the French World Cup, where Rivaldo is charged with great responsibility, like Ronaldo. Starting from the number 10 on his shirt, which in Brazil has always been the symbol of the leading man, the athlete with the brilliant touch. Yet, the alleged "black cat" malediction hits the player once again. Brazil is defeated by France and mainly by Zidane, the player who until that moment had also been considered a man who brought bad luck to the national team.
Starting from that difficult moment, Rivaldo once again finds in himself the strength to react and start out again. The above-mentioned victory in the America Cup a few months ago, the title of best player of this event and the recent Golden Ball award are the clear proof that once again all those who did not believe in his talent had to change their mind.
Now the 27-year-old champion seems to be very close to playing in Italy. His history is very similar to that of Ronaldo, whom the Catalan team considered an athlete they would never let go and who was then sold for a lot of billions by president Nunez to the team that offered more. Now Van Gaal, who is currently Barcelona coach, has even decided to leave out of the team the new best player in Europe. His decision seems to be linked to tactical reasons: in fact, the Dutch coach wants to entrust Rivaldo with specific playing duties, making his champion play on the touchline.
Half Europe is ready to "free" the new Brazilian champion, and Italian teams are obviously at the head. Lazio could be the most favourite club, as it was once in the case of Ronaldo. But on the other side of the Tiber there is a numerous colony of Brazilian players and this could be a point in favour of Roma.
What is certain is that any choice Rivaldo makes, it is not going to influence the champion with the sad eyes. His next target is the World Cup. From up there, from the top of football, Rivaldo will feel really very close to his father Romildo.