Rivaldo

From Hero to Zero? Just look at what Rivaldo (age 31) has achieved in his not-too-long football career:
1992 - Winner, the Copa-90
1994 - Winner, the Copa Bandeirantes with Palmeiras (Bra)
1994 - Brazilian League Champions with Palmeiras (Bra)
1996 - Bronze medal in the Olympic Games
1997 - Winner, European Super Cup with Barcelona (Spa)
1997 - Winner, Confederations Cup with Brazil
1998 - Runners Up, World Cup 98 with Brazil
1998 - Spanish League Champions and Cup Winners with Barcelona (Spa)
1999 - Spanish League Champions with Barcelona (Spa)
1999 - Winner, Copa America with Brazil
1999 - FIFA World's Best Player
1999 - France Football's Ballon d'Or
2000 - 3rd, FIFA Best player in the world
2002 - World Champions, World Cup 2002 with Brazil
2003 - Worst player in the Italian Serie A League
2003 - Out of contract, looking for a club

A career through Corinthians, Palmeiras, Deportivo La Coruna, Barcelona, and AC Milan has now come to a halt. Not because of injuries or old age but because of arrogance. He left Barcelona one year before his contract ended, on a free transfer because he couldn't see eye to eye with trainer Louis van Gaal. Rivaldo got snatched by AC Milan, but only played a handful of games and was finally released from his contract in December 2003. Now looking for a club. Offers so far from Bolton Wanderers, Middlebrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers, a club in Qatar, and a club in Portugal. Not really clubs you want to play for when you have "FIFA World's Best Player" on your CV.



Personally, I don't really care about this guy. His arrogance after becoming the best player in the world in 1999 (he said to van Gaal "I will never play on the left again" when his best place for the team is on the left). His theatrical antics against Turkey in the 2002 World Cup. His playing (he never passes the ball, he gets it, runs or shakes and then shoots). I just like to document the fact that it's a bottomless fall once your on top, just like him.

Oh, and if you try to go to his website at rivaldo10.com it will be forwarded to a Barcelona fan site with news about Ronaldinho. Rivaldo must be sad...