Rivaldo, one of the most iconic footballers of all time, left Barcelona in 2002. The Brazilian forward had spent five successful seasons with the Catalan giants, during which he won multiple titles and established himself as one of the best players in the world. However, his departure from the club came as a surprise to many fans and pundits alike.
Background
Rivaldo joined Barcelona in 1997 from Deportivo La Coruna. He was signed as a replacement for Ronaldo, who had left for Inter Milan earlier that summer. Rivaldo was an instant hit at Camp Nou, scoring 19 goals in his debut season and helping Barcelona win the Copa del Rey.
Over the next few years, Rivaldo continued to shine for Barcelona. He formed a deadly partnership with Patrick Kluivert and Luis Figo, winning two La Liga titles (1998-99 and 1999-2000) and the UEFA Super Cup (1998). In 1999, he also won the Ballon d’Or award for being the best player in Europe.
Controversy
Despite his success on the pitch, Rivaldo’s relationship with then-coach Louis van Gaal was far from smooth. Van Gaal preferred a more disciplined style of play that did not always suit Rivaldo’s flair and creativity. The two often clashed over tactics and team selection.
Rivaldo’s relationship with some of his teammates was also strained. He reportedly had a falling out with Kluivert over a penalty dispute during a game against Valencia in 2001. Moreover, several senior players including Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique had left Barcelona by this time, leaving Rivaldo feeling isolated within the squad.
The Final Straw
The final straw came in May 2002 when Barcelona played their last game of the season against Valencia. Rivaldo was left out of the starting lineup, despite having scored a hat-trick in his previous game. He was brought on as a substitute in the second half but could not prevent Barcelona from losing 4-3.
After the game, Rivaldo announced that he would be leaving Barcelona at the end of the season. He cited “personal reasons” for his decision but it was widely speculated that his strained relationship with Van Gaal and some of his teammates had played a major role in his departure.
Aftermath
Rivaldo joined AC Milan on a free transfer that summer. He spent two seasons with the Italian giants before moving to Greece to play for Olympiacos.
Despite leaving Barcelona under a cloud, Rivaldo remains one of the club’s greatest ever players. His creativity, skill and eye for goal made him a fan favorite during his time at Camp Nou.
In conclusion, Rivaldo’s departure from Barcelona was a result of several factors including his strained relationship with Van Gaal and some of his teammates, as well as personal reasons. Although it came as a shock to many fans, Rivaldo’s legacy at Barcelona remains intact thanks to his incredible performances during his five-year spell at Camp Nou.
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