Rivaldo Vítor Borba Ferreira in 2000-01 La Liga Round 38: Barcelona 3-2 Valencia ("Camp Nou" Barcelona, 17.06.2001)
BARCELONA: R. Dutruel, C. Pujol, F. De Boer, S. Barjuan, J. Guardiola (E. Petit '65), P. Cocu, Gabri, Rivaldo, M. Overmars, Simao Sabrosa (Xavi Hernandez '46), P. Kluivert (B. Zenden '78)
Manager: Carles Rexach
VALENCIA: S. Canizares, F. Aurelio, M. Pellegrino, R. Ayala, J. Angloma, D. Albelda, R. Baraja, P. Aimar (M. Djukic '85), Kily González (Vicente Rodriguez '66), M. Angulo, J. Carew (A. Ilie '86)
Manager: Héctor Cúper
GOALS: Rivaldo '3 (1:0), Baraja '25 (1:1), Rivaldo '45 (2:1), Baraja '47 (2:2), Rivaldo '87 (3:2)
BOOKED: Aurelio '7, Barjuan '19, Albelda '59, Gabri '68, Canizares '75, Pellegrino '79, Rivaldo '88, Palop '90
HIGHLIGHTS:
01:13 Rivaldo 1st goal in the match (25-yard free-kick)
06:03 Rivaldo 2nd goal in the match (25-yard shot)
13:16 Rivaldo 3rd goal in the match (overhead bicycle kick from the edge of the penalty area)
In the last game of the season, against Valencia CF, Rivaldo scored a hat-trick to win the game 3-2. Renowned as one of the greatest hat-tricks ever, his first goal was a trademark bending free kick that curled into the bottom right corner. The second goal saw him send the defender the wrong way with a feint before a strike from 25 yards swerved into the bottom left corner of the net. His match winning third goal was an overhead bicycle kick from the edge of the penalty area in the 90th minute of the game, which is regarded as one of the greatest goals of his career. The win secured Barcelona a place in the 2001-02 Champions League.
RIVALDO Vítor Borba Ferreira
Regarded as one of the best players of his generation, and one of greatest Brazilian footballers of all time, Rivaldo was a powerful, highly skilful, and creative player, known for his dribbling ability, use of feints, balance, and close ball control. A dead-ball specialist, Rivaldo was renowned for his bending free kicks, and penalty taking, as well as his ability to score from distance with powerful strikes. Possessing excellent technique, he was also known for his ball striking from volleys, and for having a penchant for scoring from overhead kicks.
Although he was not a true striker, Rivaldo was a prolific goalscorer, who was capable of playing in several creative and offensive positions: during the prime of his career, he was often deployed in a playmaking attacking midfield role as a classic number 10, due to his vision and passing ability, which made him an excellent assist provider; he could also function as a second striker, or as a left winger, a position which he often occupied earlier in his career, due to his pace and crossing ability. Although primarily left footed, he was capable of playing on either flank and could strike the ball with both feet.
Major Achevements
Brazilian Série A (1)
La Liga (2) Copa del Rey (1)
Coppa Italia (1)
Greek Super League (3) Greek Cup (2)
1997 UEFA Super Cup (Barcelona)
2003 UEFA Super Cup (AC Milan)
2002-03 UEFA Champions League (AC Milan)
1997 Confederations Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup (runner-up)
1999 Copa América
2002 FIFA World Cup
1999 Ballon D'Or
1999 FIFA World Player of the Year
1999 Copa América - Top Scorer
1999 Copa América - Best Player
1999-2000 UEFA Champions League - Top Scorer
2002 FIFA World Cup - Silver Boot
1998 FIFA World Cup - All-Star Team
2002 FIFA World Cup - All-Star Team
FIFA 100
