Renowned soccer legend Rivaldo sits at home in Brazil, just over eight years after hanging up his boots, but when you speak to him about the game in which he excelled, the glint returns to his eye. The word "moving" crops up time and again during the conversation, especially when he is reminded that he is about to don the kit of Barcelona once again, something that will occur in two exhibition matches due to take place in Israel against an all-star team of former Maccabi Tel Aviv legends (Sept. 5 at the Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv) and Maccabi Haifa legends (Sept. 7 at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa).
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The 53-year-old Brazilian visited Israel just two years ago in the special "El Clásico" match pitting soccer legends against Real Madrid. This time he will meet the two clubs that make up the Israeli "El Clásico", and as far as he is concerned the emotions are identical. "I am very happy and excited to come to Israel again," he tells us in an exclusive interview with Israel Hayom, "I am very fond of Israel and I genuinely appreciate the local fans' affection towards me. This is something that I have particularly enjoyed and I am really glad to come back."
Q: How were your previous visits here in Israel? What particularly sticks out in your mind?
"Apart from the game and the excitement at once again wearing the Barcelona shirt, I really enjoyed traveling and sightseeing in Israel, visiting all the historical locations. I find it very emotional and it is a great honor to experience this once again."
Q: This time you have come to play against Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv legends. Last time you played in your own personal El Clásico, this time it is these two clubs that will make up the Israeli El Clásico. Have you heard about this local version?
"Actually, yes, I have heard of it. It is a very big game, and I am delighted to play wearing the Barcelona strip, as I am a former Barcelona star, against legends who played for these two clubs. It will be a real pleasure to play against them."
Video: İlkay Gündoğan in Barcelona / Credit: Reuters
Q: A number of other former soccer greats will be coming with you to Israel. Who do you especially miss?
"Javier Saviola. We played so much together and formed a perfect duo. The rest of the players due to arrive are also of a very high level, but what I accomplished with Saviola during my career and later on at the Barcelona legends games, was something extremely special."
Q: Does soccer still do it for you?
"Sure! I still get excited. As soon as I step out onto the turf with the Barcelona jersey, I immediately start to imagine all the great games I took part in at the club. That is what mainly moves me, the memories of wearing the outfit of that great club are something that I shall always take with me."
Q: The Barcelona for whom you played and today's team are in a very different position, mainly financially. What do you see as the most significant differences?
"You are talking about completely different eras. When I played, it was a very special time, with Figo and Saviola. Today, Xavi is building the team and the club to try and win the Champions League. The club is buying good players and that is great, but the fans want the Champions League. When I played it was different. I hope that Xavi succeeds in attaining these goals as I wish only the best for the club."
Q: In the meantime, with all the problems he has had to face, Xavi has succeeded in restoring the Spanish championship to Barca. Did you follow this success?
"I was very happy. I knew that Xavi would succeed. He changed the club after an extremely difficult period. He has done it all gradually, as he knows how, and in my opinion, this year Barcelona will be able not only to win the La Liga championship but also to go even further in the EUFA Champions League.
Q: When you played with Xavi did you ever imagine that he would end up where he is today?
"No, I did not anticipate this or even think of it back then. This is true of both Xavi and Pep Guardiola, as I did not think that either of them would gain such great achievements as managers. As players they both demonstrated the ability to talk and communicate, so the potential was there, but I never imagined just what heights they would be able to reach."
On the question of who is the greatest soccer star of the current generation, Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, Rivaldo needs no time to think of his answer, "Messi, of course", he responds immediately. Hearing such a clear-cut answer from a player who was a virtuoso in his own right, is not something to be taken for granted. It is interesting that on this of all questions, the Brazilian did not attempt to provide a diplomatic answer, and he went with his inner truth.
The next big thing
Rivaldo was a Barcelona star between 1997 and 2002, during which time he won two La Liga titles and two cups. This might be the reason why he is able to appreciate the list of titles won by the inimitable "La Pulga" ("The Flea" – Messi's nickname) with the "Blaugrana" over the years. "That's how things work in soccer," he explains, "Barcelona is a club where Romario, Ronaldinho, Messi, and other unforgettable stars have played. They all eventually left or retired, but the club still remains. A club with such an infrastructure is capable of signing dozens of players."
"But it is difficult to attain the level that Messi has. He arrived at the age of 12 and left an eternal impression on the club, not only because of his long period of service there but mainly due to the large number of titles he won. It will clearly take many years until a new Messi emerges to take his place. The club will probably not waste time in recruiting another player, but it will be extremely difficult to find a player like Messi."
Q: Who is the best player you played with?
"Ronaldo Fenômeno ("The Phenomenon"), the Brazilian."
Q: Neymar is at the end of his career. Who is the next Brazilian star that you can point to?
"Vinícius Júnior. If he continues to play as he is doing now, he will be able to lift many cups in the future, both with Real Madrid and also with the Seleção (the Brazilian national team). He is the one that I have singled out as having the capacity to push Brazilian soccer forward, but he will have to work very hard."
Q: Soccer in Brazil is much more than a game. Tell us something about you as a boy, your dreams, where everything began, and where you gained your passion for the game.
"Soccer is everything in Brazil. It is a really important part of life. Every father in Brazil wants sons so that they might grow up to be soccer stars. My father wanted three boys – and he had three boys. I stood out more than my brothers, and at the age of 13, he was the one to see the potential. We went through hard times, but I wanted to fulfill my father's dream. That was the real goal."
Q: What moment was the pinnacle of your career?
"Winning the World Cup with Brazil in 2002."
Q: And what was the most difficult moment?
"When I began at the age of 16, I came from a very tough background, rife with severe poverty, but I fought it all in order to succeed. I remember all that very well."
Q: Who is the defender you most dreaded playing against?
"The great Paolo Maldini, there were a number of others, but I have never met a defender who comes too close to Maldini."
Q: Have you heard of Yaniv Katan or Avi Nimni?
"I have heard a lot about Yaniv Katan, he played not only in Israel but overseas too. Yes, I have definitely heard of him."
Q: In conclusion, what is the message you would like to convey to Israeli soccer supporters?
"It is a great honor for me to come to Israel and to play with the Barcelona Legends. I am absolutely delighted and really looking forward to it. We shall meet in Haifa and in Tel Aviv."
Both matches are being arranged by MTR, a company headed by Mauro Rosenshine. The company has been responsible for the production of a number of events both in Israel and abroad, such as the "Peace Game between the Israel National Team Stars and the Brazil Legends Team", as well as the exhibition game between Barcelona Legends and Real Madrid Legends, held at Bloomfield Stadium. Tickets for the games may be purchased on the GET-IN website, from NIS 89 per ticket.
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