Rivaldo Vítor Borba Ferreira was born in Recife, Brazil, on April 19, 1972.
Rivaldo started his football career in the Paulistano youth set up. In 1989-90 he joined the first team and played 48 games with 7 goals for Paulista, in the 2nd regional tier.
In 1991 he played for Santa Cruz at regional level and made 27 appearances with 19 goals.
He then joined Mogi Mirim in the top Paulista league. He played 31 games with 13 goals.
In July 1993 he joined Brazilian giants Corinthians. He played 58 games with 20 goals for the "Timăo (Superteam).
He then joined city rivals Palmeiras in July 1994. He played 120 games with 60 goals for the "Verdāo" and won two Paulista leagues and one Brazilian.
In 1996 he arrived in Europe. He signed for Deportivo La Coruña in Spain. He stayed one season and the Dépor finished 3rd. Rivaldo played 46 games with 22 goals.
His performances earned him a call by Barcelona who he joined in 1997. He stayed five seasons, playing 235 games with 130 goals. He won two Ligas, one Spanish Cup and a UEFA Super Cup. This period was probably the peak of his career.
In 2002 he signed for Milan in Serie A. He stayed one full season, playing 38 games with 8 goals. The following season he left in November after only playing 2 games. In his time in Milan he won a Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup and a Coppa Italia, under manager Carlo Ancelotti. In this period, he played alongside Lazio connections, Alessandro Nesta (1993-2002), José Antonio Chamot (1994-98), Alessandro Matri (2015-16) and Valerio Fiori (1986-93).
In November 2003 he returned to Brazil to Cruzeiro but only stayed two months, playing 10 games with 2 goals.
In 2004 he joined Olympiakos in Greece. He stayed three seasons playing 101 games with 43 goals. The "Thrilos" (Legend) won three league titles and two Greek Cups.
In 2007 he stayed in Athens but joined rivals AEK for one season. The "Kitrinomavri" (Yellow and Blacks) finished 2nd. Rivaldo played 44 games with 15 goals.
In August 2008, now 36, he joined Bunyodkor in the Uzbekistan league. He stayed three seasons, playing 82 games and winning two league titles and one domestic cup.
In January 2011 he returned home to Brazil to Mogi Mirim but before playing even one game left for Sāo Paulo where he played 46 games with 7 goals.
In 2012 he made a strange move and went to play in Luanda. He joined Kaburscorp do Palanca where he played 21 games with 11 goals.
In 2013 he went back to Brazil and signed for Săo Caetano where he played 19 games with 2 goals.
His last club was Mogi Mirim again where he spent 2014-15 with 17 games and one goal.
At 43 he retired after 945 club games and 403 goals.
At international level he won 74 caps for Brazil with 35 goals. He won a World Cup (2002, scoring 5 goals), a Copa America (1999, scoring 2 goals in final) and a Confederations Cup (1997). He also won an Olympic bronze medal at Atlanta '96.
At individual level he won the "Ballon d'Or" and FIFA World Player of the Year, both in 1999.
Rivaldo was an attacking midfielder. At 1.86 and 73 kilos he was surprisingly fast and agile. His main assets however were his technical skills and his powerful and precise shooting abilities. He had great vision and tactical awareness meaning he could play in various midfield and forward positions. He is considered one of the best players of his generation.
In a Lazio connection he was one of the ones that got away. When Sergio Cragnotti was in charge of the club he went very close to signing Rivaldo. As he did with Ronaldo who went to Inter instead. Another two who got away were Boudewijn Zenden and Nicolas Anelka but with far fewer regrets.
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