How GOOD was Rivaldo? ● Tactical Analysis

[@PythagorasinBoots]

WEBSITE ► pythagorasinboots.com/ SUBSCRIBE ► kzbin.info PODCAST ► podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pythagoras-in-boots-football-podcast/id1485124586 TWITTER ► twitter.com/pythaginboots INSTAGRAM ► instagram.com/pythaginboots/

[@ملككاتلونيا]

Thanx mate Riva was so underrated player

[@a_moneypound]

Hey Mate Could you please do a video on Christopher Nkunku?a future Mbappe replacement at PSG?

[@daoudahmady6613]

@@ملككاتلونيا He was the greatest of all time and I love watched him 🙏💕👌

[@ugobabyy]

So underrated!!! One of my favorite players of all time!

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Ugo Ibe Hope I did him justice mate

[@ugobabyy]

Pythagoras in Boots you def did!! If only Van Gaal had the vision to play him as a false 9. No shade to Kluivert (loved him). But Sonny Anderson?? 😂😂

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Problem with LVG was he lacked flexibility - he’s a very systems orientated manager and therefore Brazilians are not well suited to his style of management as they are very liberal spirits. A match made in hell.

[@fc-ff5vy]

@@PythagorasinBoots He hate Brazilians that fucking guy benched the 1999 balan d' or and what surprising is that Rivaldo still scored so many screamers even though van gaal benched him most of the time.

[@mirospajic9929]

Rivaldo should play striker in Barca and he could score even more goals! If Robson stayed for coach he would be striker and not wing! LVG destroyed him with his idea!

[@MisterFreak579]

It is incredible how one bad season in Italy destroyed his later career, he was so underrated.

[@hugocastilla5559]

Ya estàba en los 30 años, y Ancellotti no lo puso a jugar, Rivaldo estàba en medio de su divorcio y èsto lo perjudicò, Brasil nùnca volviò a tener un conductor como Rivaldo

[@ringmaster996]

​@hugocastilla5559 You are 💯% correct. He was a driving force for Brazil. He used to take the pressure off Brazil❗️

[@zacharyreno2001]

He really was the man. It would’ve made the Classico more interesting to watch if he was at Barca longer. Rivaldo, Kluivert and Etoo would’ve been fun to watch together.

[@bryanleeyf87]

Underrated? You cant win World Player of the Year and be underrated. By that logic, Owen, Fowler, Vieri are all underrated because their careers faltered off by joining the wrong club?

[@onetwo8847]

@@bryanleeyf87 No you can absolutely win one and be underrated... Does it mean he was underrated at the time? No... it means that he has now become underrated in history. Everyone to this day talks constantly abou ZZ, R9 and Ronaldinho. Rivaldo basically never gets talked about in comparison, despite being RIGHT up there with all of them

[@mensonge03]

Excellent work, mate! Kudos! Rivaldo is underrated in Brazil too. It's so unfair. As a Brazilian who grew up watching Rivaldo destroying in Barça and with our National Team, I'm 100% sure that Rivaldo was more consistent than Ronaldinho. What a master.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Agreed. Guy gets slept on as to how magical he was... I remember as a United fan, shitting it every time he touched the ball against our treble side.

[@mirospajic9929]

Rivaldo is great, but Ronaldinho is litle better in my view! He could play WC 94 & 06 so thats unfair for Rivaldo from Brazil!

[@mirospajic9929]

Ronaldinho is litle better in my view, but both are awsome players! Ronaldo, Romario, Robinho, Rai, ... all R are great in Brazil! Rai is also underrated (PSG legend) !

[@hugocastilla5559]

Rivaldo hizo 130 goles en Barça, Ronaldinho 96, la eficacia de Rivaldo es superior

[@TheDudeKCB]

Great video. As a Barcelona fan i would always hear his name as a great player but due to my age, I was never able to watch him and many others play. I always wondered how some players played, Rivaldo being one of them. Through highlight videos, you can only really see so much of a player but this video format gives an actual understanding and explanation of the player. As a football fan, I thank you for this video. As a Barcelona fan, I request another player I was not able to see in Romario or even Deco. I respect the time and effort you put into this video.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Deco was a fabulous player and another who has become incredibly underrated with the passing of time. Would love to do a video on him!

[@shazam1522]

great analysis. one of my favourites. his long low shots were lasers.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Glad you enjoyed! Such an underrated player and his shot-making was as complete as it comes in terms of range.

[@finalio]

Great vid. In terms of trait-by-trait, Rivaldo will tick more boxes than Zidane and Ronaldinho, and almost all players ever sense (except for Messi). There is actually no blind spot in his attacking arsenal. Just take the position versatility for example, Zidane and Figo both played as a playmaker and technical winger but could not have played as reliable striker or SS. Ronaldinho could have played as winger, playmaker, SS but not as a striker. Ronaldo (the Brazilian) as striker but not as a playmaker. Rivaldo did all of these as great player. Rivaldo played in times with not Barcelona striker, Brazil with no reliable striker (post Romario, during Ronaldo’s injuries) between 2000-2002. Only Messi topped this versatility IMO playing in almost all attacking positions and some midfielder ones and excelling in all. The one thing Rivaldo lacked is the shiny touch (possessed by Zidane, Messi, Ronaldinho..etc)

[@fk90-b9z]

Rivaldo lacked the shiny touch??? Hell no, his touch was arguably the cleanest(I argue its better than ronaldinho, zizou, bergkamp and berbatov). Rivaldo eye foot coordination was incredible and probably the best in his prime in my humble opinion. Messi first touch is good but nothing out of the ordinary compared to Rivaldo and the guys above.

[@finalio]

@@fk90-b9z Maybe we're talking about two different concepts. I totally agree with you on the cleanliness and quality of the touch. My argument is to average or below average football fan, the other players Ronalidinho/Zizou..etc had more pleasent to watch touch.

[@chuka6625]

he didn’t have a right foot

[@pavlosangeloudis2983]

Congrats for the video!I have watched Rivaldo's career carefully (from brazil time until his last team) and i have to say how much underrated (amongst best) he was!I think your attempt to "make a general picture" of him regarding his positions throughout his career, is quite impressive and to the point and there is no other similar clip in KZbin with the same content.It's crazy about Rivaldo these facts 1) it's a miracle he plays professional football having these bandy legs (rhamdomuolysis) and became world's best and nobody refers to that.In opposition everyone refers to ronaldo's injuries persistently. 2) He was "abused" throughout his whole career regarding his positions on the field.He was forced to change positions so many times and plus there was different tactical general approach from every manager too.You forgot to mention that the first 6 months in Depor under John Toshack's tactics he was used on the left wing and with the arrival of his fellow compatriot Carlos Alberto Silva he was a totally different player roaming free beginning as a "10" with elmundodeportivo referring to Deportivo as "Rivaldodependencia" changing the whole game of Deportivo La coruna. 3)Last,i disagree on the weaknesses you mentioned regarding "head" whilst he has scored all types of goals with his head.He was an excellent header and in comparison to zidane's first touch you mentioned i think it's quite the same level plus for rivaldo that he had the ability to make long chest controls apart from his excellent control.The problem is that there is not so much footage available on KZbin to find.There are full matches of his available but it requires time to gather all this just for one clip.If someone takes into account all the above and observes his best matches,then he will make up his mind FOR SURE! Cheers

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Brilliant post - especially the info on Deportivo. My point on Rivaldo's touch was that it was capable of sheer magic.. at its best, it was All time level, but his touch wasn't as consistently magical as a Zidane or Dinho, who just never miscontrolled a ball full stop. Glad you enjoyed the video and is there any topics you would wish to be discussed going forwards and out of interested what team do you support?

[@pavlosangeloudis2983]

@@PythagorasinBoots Pythagoras in Boots i am from Greece (i love Pythagoras name by the way!haha) but i have lost my faith in the domestic league.I follow Aris Thessaloniki but not that intensively.I actually follow and support FC Barcelona and the whole Premier League which i think is quite astonishing.I would love you to make a clip id possible on how the Dutch soccer tactics from the rigid Louis van Gaal in Barcelona decreased the efficiency of Rivaldo and how much they affected his play (whereas brazilian way of football is totally freedom unlike the Dutch way).Rivaldo not only played under van Gaal in a totally different approach of football (and sometimes in a hostile Dutch dressing room) but also in a very different position.The worst of the case is that he was forced in a continuously change of positions in van Gaal's era.It would be an amazing video.Thanks and keep going!

[@cariocabassa]

@@PythagorasinBoots I don't agree...he was better than Zidane...

[@PythagorasinBoots]

cariocabassa as an overall footballer or his first touch?

[@cariocabassa]

@@PythagorasinBoots both...I mean he did things that Zidane never even tried to do during practices...such as sombrero with the heel on the first touch. Im just the wrong guy to try to convince that Zidane was this good, because I truly think that he never was, nor has been... Was Zidane a great player? Yes, but never as good as some folks especially the medias have been tryin' to portray him never... You should've said Dennis Bergkamp first touch, then yes I don't think that there is much to talk nor argue about when it comes to his first touch...

[@garysmallwoodgs]

Another excellent video. I'd like to suggest a Gareth bale one. With the start of his career being left back then moving to spurs then Harry redknap trusting him at left wing. His destroying of inter millan. Then his move to Madrid alongside the controversy. Lots of injuries. 👍 but it really don't matter I'll still watch whoever it is ✌

[@PythagorasinBoots]

The other day we were having a massive Ozil v Bale debate. A Bale video sounds like a cracking idea!

[@ciroacioli2454]

Underrated channel, my friend. Keep it up!

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Thanks Ciro - help spread the word! Is there any content you would like to see in the future?

[@ciroacioli2454]

@@PythagorasinBoots you´re welcome. When I saw the Ledley King video I thought about another unsung hero in the Brazilian Juninho - from Boro. But besides that, I´d like to see more contents about Jose Mourinho and Tottenham. Thanks!

[@Irfan87]

This may sound like heresy, but if i were to pick between Zidane and Rivaldo at their peaks, id pick Rivaldo. He just didnt have the same PR as other footy greats and was a kind of "autistic artistry" type of player. Rivaldo is massively overlooked all in all. One small note abt his crossing though. Beckham was most certainly better than Rivaldo and Figo when it came to crossing. He is THE greatest crosser of all time. With that being said, during that era, only Rivaldo and Figo came close to him in that department. This channel is a nice little find, pleasant surprise. Subbed.

[@chuka6625]

It’s not heresy man. As a manager, I know who I’m picking in my team for a season. He was the most potent mix of skill and effectiveness in world football from 1997-2001, carrying Barcelona almost weekly with Figo. It’s weird that he’s somehow gone unnoticed today.

[@alvarohigino]

It shouldn't sound like a crime to say Rivaldo was better than Zidane, because he was.

[@danielhackett1581]

I agree, he was more effective than Zidane

[@kevinmelia1880]

Brilliant video. Such a brilliant player, the variety of the ways he could hurt the opposition was unique in his era. Pound for pound the most dangerous attacking player of the late 90's - early 00's.

[@Iron-Bridge]

Nice footage seeing Rivaldo battle Pep Guardiola in that Deportivo vs Barcelona match.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Not easy to find but it was worth it!

[@daconvertiblebaby69]

Do more of this maybe a riquelme or kaka next

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Riquelme is already on the list but will also consider Kaka - good shout.

[@Primitive24]

4 years later.... but you should start making more of these. Ronaldinho needs one for sure. Thierry Henry, Drogba, Zola, Scholes, Vidic. Show the youth of today how good these players were. Generational talents and gamechangers. P.S Love watching the videos, I try and keep up with them all! The in-depth analysis of the players is great to see.

[@dsanchez9703]

One of the best players ever

[@cariocabassa]

Exactly

[@karimbelle2613]

Rivaldo is my all time favorite player De man was rough wid it

[@dsanchez9703]

@karimbelle2613 he had a rough childhood if not he would have been no doubt even more better.

[@bronxbull]

Eternal love for the No.10. The two la Liga titles under Van Gaal was all due to this great man, ❤❤

[@thetruth4654]

Rivaldo is one of my favorite players of all time, i do think he is very much an underrated all time legend, he doesn`t tend to get spoken about with the amount of respect and love that his career deserves. Too me i think Ronaldinho had a slightly higher peak, but he didn`t have the consistency and longevity of Rivaldo so overrall Rivaldo atleast in my eyes probably had the better overrall career. But Ronaldinho is remembered more due to the flashiness of his play. And well the things Ronaldinho did with a football hasn`t been seen since.

[@cariocabassa]

The best!!! O Rivaldão!!!!

[@charlottecooley2428]

Ronaldo RIvaldo Ronaldinho - best front 3 ever to grace the game. Untouchable.

[@havertzthefuturegoat2518]

Do r9 please

[@dmcomps12]

Can you make an analysis about Rui Costa?

[@PythagorasinBoots]

I'll add it to the list - thanks for the suggestion!

[@sarupyamangal9538]

Great video. Can you do a similar video for R9?? It would be very much appreciated.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

One day... let the channel get bigger first.

[@sanghyeoklee6340]

yes. I never understand that he couldn't be in the list of great footballer of all time 50. Even Kaka was in the list.

[@jashmalgovia420]

Rivaldo Da Great!!!⚽️🥇🏆🇧🇷💙

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Sooooo underrated!

[@crassuschan]

I'd love to ask Pep how he sees the 4Rs (Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldhino) of Brazil respectively, as he was once a teammate or a manager of them.

[@arthurnascimento8081]

I'm from 2001 so didn't have the chance to watch prime Rivaldo... I did watch the whole Brazil's campaign in 2002 world cup recently and thought he was pretty good, but not as willing of a passer as I imagined... but his crossing was phenomenal and it changed games for that team

[@bryanleeyf87]

He was never a passer. He's like van Persie / Henry. Strikers but would drop deep and take on everyone or let fly from outside the box.

[@AndromedaEleven]

Great analysis, would you put him ahead of Neymar?

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Great question - yes I would. Rivaldo's mentality was superior and therefore I rate his career higher. In terms of ability, Neymar probably can carry a game single handedly due to his superior pace but Rivaldo's versatility in terms of how many ways he can affect a game as well as his adaptability in terms of being a team player means he was very hard to keep quiet in big games.

[@scottgraham5480]

Must have been a treat if you were a manager at his clubs, they would encourage his long shots with that brilliant left foot

[@firellparker7463]

Do R10 please I think Talent wise he was the beat but you are spot on theres more to it than just ability you have to factor in longevity etc

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Ronaldinho was more gifted I agree... and a video on him might just break the internet!

[@midasacquisitions]

Brother, you gotta do an R9 analysis, its gotta be done, figo, Veron, would b3 awesome to see too 💯✨

[@sedinor1492]

I wish there was a guy like that on the Brazilian team today

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Tell me about it!

[@b-don502]

Rodrygo is somewhat similar

[@nottheonefromearth]

certified underrated

[@Olimpico230]

Next: Valderrama?

[@leemcb7297]

How did this guy win World Player of the Year in '99 while playing out of position at left wing?

[@PythagorasinBoots]

That is a measure of his greatness. He didn't let it get him down and would just ignore LVG's restrictions and drift in from the left, following his own instinct. It pissed LVG off but he knew he was doing the right thing.

[@leemcb7297]

@@PythagorasinBoots Do you think Figo-Kluivert-Rivaldo is the most complete triumvirate in Barcelona history? All three had height, skill, and speed. They could easily put a lot of 4-3-3's to shame today .... most of today's wingers are one-dimensional.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

LeeMcB Very good point tbh. I wouldn’t say it was the best triumvirate but you are right that from a tactical POV it is very multi faceted. I think if you have one inverted winger, one orthodox winger and a complete 9 who can playmake and score/hold up then that is perfection which I don’t think this trio was but they did have lots of ways to hurt the opposition.

[@leemcb7297]

@@PythagorasinBoots I am impressed with your insightful comments, adding to that, I believed their "wingers" to be more complete than Man U's 1999 Beckham & Giggs. You have : Beckham vs. Figo (both quite slow but Figo had THE technique), and Rivaldo vs. Giggs (deep forward vs orthodox winger). Barcelona's "wingers" were technically superior, far more intelligent, and were not failures at international level (Giggs never qualified for EUROS or WORLD CUPS, while Becks was overshadowed by the far more talented McManaman later at the turn of the millennium) Out of this quartet, Rivaldo wins Player of the Year -- in Man U's treble winning season. Ultimately, I have subscribed to your channel -- keep it up dude!

[@PythagorasinBoots]

LeeMcB Agree on all that, Figo and Rivaldo are all time greats in the global sense whereas the other two are more European level greats. Thank you for subscribing bud and looking forward to discussing more topics in the future with you!

[@fk90-b9z]

In regards to Rivaldo first touch, I think it was as good if not better than bergkamp or zidane, that touch and timing at 9:23 is perfect eye foot coordination. Imagine if that went in? It would of been similar to bergkamp goal against Leicester in 98. BTW, do you think Rivaldo was a better shooter than hagi or matt le tissier? In that era, these three were the best shooters.

[@shinobidan2256]

@@fk90-b9z I always preferred Rivaldo over Zidane

[@Human_traain]

188 CM (L)10 Rivaldo LVA Barcelona/Brazil Offense: 96 Defense: 55 Passing: 87 Control: 94 Speed: 84 Physically: 82

[@edwinjose8179]

Do analysis on upamecano pls

[@mobb8394]

Do Sancho pls

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Kayshen Azevedo I try and focus on less mainstream players for now but I will definitely look to do one on him in future.

[@renatogomescosta1687]

Na verdade a história dele é mais dramática ainda. Ele começou nas divisões de base do Santa Cruz(Um antigo Clube brasileiro).

[@oscarlopez3062]

El mejor hat trick de la historia

[@sskmanentsa5326]

Looking at his situation, I think we are a bit unfair to Ronaldo when we question his mentality. The guy had a chronic problem and had one of the worst career ending injuries we've ever seen but he always did his best to come back but of course, they kept recurring and they did that a lot during important periods of the season. That is incredibly depressing for anyone and if he wanted to get away from that life sometimes, I don't blame him. Later he had the hyperthyroidism which just adds to his problems. The guy, like a Van Basten, could have just retired early, but I don't think Van Basten's mentality should be questioned. He described the pains he went through as almost unbearable and even though doctors were allegedly avoiding him because the process had a low chance of success, he did it anyway. That sounds like elite mentality to me.

[@You-lg1yo]

Ривалдо хорошо оценён, золотой мяч, чемпионат мира, копа америка, лига чемпионов, все у него есть

[@fightingforce8498]

favorite player!

[@cariocabassa]

He was better than Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Zidane... if you don't realize that this guy was A REAL GENIUS So underrated, then you don't know much about football... I repeat Rivaldo was more magical and better than Zizou for sure...more complete than Ronaldinho Gaùcho as well even though, the comparaison makes more sense...

[@asdflkj2041]

i agree somewhat

[@cariocabassa]

Ronaldinho Gaúcho was also incredible...but unlike Rivaldo he didn't so much with the National team...he did produce, but to me wasn't as reliable, decisive and consistant...

[@giannistsoukatos4205]

Rivaldo was the master conductor of that great Brazilian team of 1996-2003. He made all of them look better.and they are considered somehow above him today!!!Rivaldo is inside top 6 players ever. I hope in the future that he would be more legitimised than today. Others had bigger hype than him,but he played better than them,all the time.Criminally underrated today.

[@cariocabassa]

@@giannistsoukatos4205 Exactly...👍🏼

[@Bill-Butcher]

Stay off the glue. Zidane was better than Rivaldo and that's widely acknowledged. Stop trying to rewrite history.

[@hemalatajanwade5236]

Please please please make like this on messsii please

[@sayonetwo]

Raphinha is following in on his footsteps

[@chesstictacs3107]

Yes, I agree he was overall a better player than Ronaldinho

[@Visnjik1986]

one of most underrated players ever, tbh for me at years better than Zidane

[@daoudahmady6613]

Golden left leg 🙏👍💕

[@leemc5646]

Great player

[@midasacquisitions]

❤❤❤❤

[@danaldogiraud4981]

For me, he was always on par with Zidane

[@PythagorasinBoots]

I’d say in the late 90s, Rivaldo was ahead of him but then Zidane started to create moments at the highest level which surpassed even Rivaldo’s achievements. Very marginal though.

[@danaldogiraud4981]

@@PythagorasinBoots excellent comment tbf

[@cariocabassa]

@@PythagorasinBoots No, Zidane never individually achieved what Rivaldo has done at his peak individually...never lol. Individually I can't recall for instance from Zizou a performance like Rivaldo's hat trick at San Siro vs AC Milano in the Champions League with Barcelona for instance...

[@zinedinezidane4771]

Not his headed goals in the WC?

[@zinedinezidane4771]

Or his outstanding performance in the euros???

[@arfenmalik1717]

You cannot compare Ronaldinho with Rivaldo Rivaldo was a striker. His whole career was about scoring goals not giving assists. For the 2002wc Rivaldo clicked perfectly with Ronaldinho n it's clear as day. Rivaldo scoring genius combined with Dinhos passing genius gave Brazil power in attack n this ensured the burden of scoring goals was not on Ronaldo. Rivaldo mentioned that playing with Ronaldinho was easy because he would easily make good passes. As for his time in Acmilan Ancelotti had several Brazilian players... Serginho, Cafu, Kaka, Rivaldo.... one had to go n he opted for Rivaldo but actually Cafu should have been shown the exit door🤣 Ancelotti should have found a way to rotate Shevchenko Inzaghi n Rivaldo

[@PythagorasinBoots]

They both worked very well together and what a delight it was to watch them both as free roaming players behind Ronaldo. I think Rivaldo showed greater longevity and professionalism - it’s also annoying that he doesn’t get remembered as much for his achievements.

[@arfenmalik1717]

@@PythagorasinBoots my point is not about Longevity although it's true Rivaldo played longer but you have to realize Ronaldinho managed to win all the major medals at a very young age... Wc at 21 and ucl at 25 years I said Rivaldo was more of a goal scorer while Ronaldinho was more of making good passes for his teammates to score

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@arfenmalik1717 I get your point but you're acting like I had made the point that Ronaldinho should have scored more goals than Rivaldo? One is a left winger/CAM hybrid and the other is a SS/10.

[@cariocabassa]

@@arfenmalik1717 Rivaldo also gave great assists don't be mislead by the fact that he indeed scored a lot... Rivaldo was kinda like Zico...a very offensive midfielder "10" more offensive than Maradona...yes I said it. Both(Zico n Rivaldo) were more offensive than Maradona...Ronaldinho Gaúcho can be thrown in the (Zico Rivaldo) group as well...very offensive number 10...Roberto Baggio the great of course Messi was like that too...during his peak at Barcelona also...they all are very very offensive minded midfielders...can be used as 2nd strikers also

[@arfenmalik1717]

@@cariocabassa Zico never win the worldcup so i don't consider him much but some fans rate him very highly. He did not convert his penalty against France Same goes for Baggio. Great players should deliver their teams in times of great pressure n both Baggio n Zico failed to do that. As for Rivaldo he was lethal in the box but away from the box he was not as good as Maradona and Ronaldinho who could drible from midfield n give assists. Look up Rivaldos goal vs Belgium where Ronaldinho provided the crucial assist Also Maradona assist that knocked out Brazil in the 1990wc

[@koltzsevere1047]

Mbappe next ?

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Got other videos lined up first but I will definitely do one on Mbappe in the future - not sure if timing is right just now!

[@chewmichael9133]

Beckham should have won the balon d’or in 1999.

[@TPM1878]

You'll be wronging the football gods if you don't do Ronaldo after this.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

One day my friend.. watch this space 👊

[@letssee1946]

Bro do on reus

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Sheik Noordeen Such a shame his career never hit the heights it should have. Super underrated.

[@letssee1946]

@@PythagorasinBoots so bro you will make?

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Sheik Noordeen yes but might have to wait a bit as my next videos are on Ledley King and Riquelme.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Yes will add him to list.

[@asdflkj2041]

12:30 Putting R9 next to ronaldinho is a shame. R9 was much much more professional than all of those names mentioned. This guy came back from 3 career-ending injuries. Even when the doctor said no. On top of that, he was facing hypothyroidism. R9 was one of the most professional players ever.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

It’s widely known that Ronaldo was very much into the party lifestyle and it played a part in his injury troubles too. He played hard and partied hard too and that has consequences injury wise. Ronaldinho on the other hand just got lazy which is a worse mentality than Ronaldo. Rivaldo mentality was the best in terms of focus for the game.

[@nottheonefromearth]

The brasilians are the best

[@gold6813]

My favourite player at the time. But Beckham was robbed of the Ballon d'Or. No Beckham, no treble. Clutch in multiple moments.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Have to agree. Beckham was insane that season for United.

[@sugs1191]

I'm sorry but that is the biggest load of tosh I've ever heard. Beckham was robbed - he shouldn't of been nominated. If you think Beckham was better than Rivaldo - you clearly never saw Barca Vs Man U in the cl - both games. Rivaldo was incredible both games . I still remember how he deceived schmeichel with his freekick and bicycle kick. I'm not even sure Beck's was Man U best player that season - Keane, Giggs. Giggs won the Fa cup and Keane was superb against Juve. Beck's never put on a performance like that. And as far as right sided players are concerned Luis Figo was a far better player than Beck's that season. Honestly beckham was great but in 99 there was Figo, rivaldo, Ronaldo, del piero, recoba. Saying Beckham was on their level is embarrassing tbh

[@zinedinezidane4771]

Beckham was outstanding that season and won the treble. He was robbed as good as Rivaldo was he didn't win the treble yhat season.

[@bryanleeyf87]

The amount of uNdErRaTeD comments here is saddening. Just because you weren't alive to watch this beast of a Brazilian play during his best in Spain and World Cups, doesn't mean he's uNdErRaTeD. He's a FIFA World Player of the Year winner for Christ's sake. In every FIFA game he;s been bar his Italy/Greece stint, he was consistently very highly rated. He's a FIFA icon. He's the reason Barcelona won the league under LVG.

[@beyondXnOs]

Left an indelible imprint in my heart and the hearts of loyal fans of F.C.B all over the world 🟦🟥🟦 "Mes qué un club" Talent wise, arguably in the conversation for Top-5 attacking midfielders of the 21st century with Maradona, Di Stéfano, Platini, and Zico. IMO, he could have won 2 more Ballon d'Or during his absolute prime. Mr. hat tricks, A UNICORN with a lethal left foot and touch. Ambidextrous, he embodied the unique combination of South American futsal and street ball creativity and technical skills, and European tactical, efficient style of play. Rivaldo could have easily finished 1 season at Barça with 50+ goals had he stayed there, and been given complete freedom by van Gaal to play as a mobile striker. As shown on footages all over YT, could: slash through defenders like all-time great dribblers Garrincha or Messi, beat keepers 1v1, ball on the ground, all day long like a Ronaldo Nazario and Shevchenko, deliver balls and make plays like the Zidane, Rui Costa or Modrić's, unleash 25+ meters canon balls like Koeman, Verón, or Seedorf, and score flamboyant, acrobatic goals in the penalty area like legendary striker Van Basten. "Underrated" is an under-statement when you talk about his intrinsic qualities.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

>Ronaldinhho

[@beyondXnOs]

@@PythagorasinBoots Yes in that upper tier of AMFs. By all accounts > Zidane as well IMO if we compare both players at the AMF role