The right player at the wrong time.
I Think Rivaldo was a great player not because of FC Barcelona, but despite of FC Barcelona. sure, he won 2 La Liga titles, 1 Copa del Rey, 1 UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Ballon d'OR, but for a player in his caliber and his magnitude, and by that I mean a great football player and a great, modest person, he deserved better than Barcelona of these years. we owe a great debt of thanks to Rivaldo, for without him, those years would be even sadder than they were. he pretty much carried us on his back and shoulders and every time the grey and under achieving Barcelona would show moments of magic, it would be because of him.
From a long list of foreign players generally, and Brazilians specifically, who played for FC Barcelona, he's definitely one of my favorites. he's not a product of La Masia, and after leaving Barcelona he played for many different clubs, but there's not doubt he will forever be aligned with FC Barcelona and he will forever be one of the most beloved, appreciated and influential players in the history of our club. I think this feeling is mutual.
His passion for football and his modesty should be an example to follow for every active player and for every kid who one day wishes to be a football player.
By the way, my favorite Rivaldo moment wasn't the amazing bicycle kick goal against Valencia. to me, it was the 2 goals he scored in the 2-2 draw with Real Madrid in the Bernabéu which after each one of them, he
closed his ears with his fingers and
whistled to the sound of Real fans booing him. we should've won the game 3-2 with Rivaldo scoring a hattrick, but an overruled goal from an offside that never existed prevented us with this victory.
A One of a kind professional, a great human being, a true legend!
Thank you, and good luck in your future endeavors! I wish you'll find your way back to the club, we need people like you as role model for our future generation of FC Barcelona players!