World Cup winner Rivaldo, whose contract with AC Milan was terminated by mutual consent earlier this month, is considering a return to his native Brazil, one of his personal advisers said on Monday.
The out-of-contract attacking midfielder, who failed to hold down a regular first-team place with the European champions, has only had one concrete offer since leaving the San Siro, with many clubs baulking at his huge wage demands.
”The only offer has come from [Spanish club] Espanyol but they could not meet Rivaldo’s salary,” Ernesto Bronzetti told Italian state broadcaster RAI.
”Up until now Rivaldo has not received an offer that meets his value and so bearing in mind the current financial crisis in football, he is thinking seriously about going back home.”
Asked where Rivaldo might end up, Bronzetti replied: ”I believe that for the next two years Rivaldo will play for Sao Paulo.”
Rivaldo (31) spent his early career with Brazilian sides Corinthians and Palmeiras before moving to Europe in 1996 to join Deportivo la Coruna.
He stayed with Deportivo for one year before being snapped up by Barcelona, where he spent five seasons.
Rivaldo join Milan after the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea, where he played a pivotal role in the South Americans’ fifth triumph.
Last week he was named the worst player in Italian football in 2003 after winning 28% of the votes in a poll organised by RAI. — Sapa-AFP