Rivaldo has opened up about his tumultuous relationship with Louis van Gaal during his time at Barcelona, claiming the Dutch manager stifled his creativity and even sought to humiliate him by fielding him in under-strength teams.
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The Brazilian icon, regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, joined Barcelona in 1997 after a successful stint at Deportivo de La Coruña. Sir Bobby Robson was instrumental in securing Rivaldo’s transfer, but he was replaced by Van Gaal shortly after.
Despite finishing his debut season as Barcelona’s second-highest scorer with 19 goals in 34 league appearances and helping the team secure the La Liga title, Rivaldo’s relationship with Van Gaal was far from smooth.
Over his five-year tenure, he added another league title, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Super Cup to his accolades. However, the friction with Van Gaal cast a shadow over his otherwise remarkable spell at the club.
Rivaldo described Van Gaal as a “great coach” but criticized his aversion to players who displayed individual brilliance. “Van Gaal does not like players who stand out.
He is very collective,” Rivaldo told Betfair. “I was also collective, but there were moments I could have done much more. He took away my freedom.”
The pair frequently clashed, especially over Rivaldo’s position on the pitch. Van Gaal insisted he play as a left winger, but Rivaldo believed he was best suited as a No.10.
“For two years, I played on the left wing because I was in my prime and could perform well anywhere,” Rivaldo explained. “But I knew I could contribute more as a No.10, providing passes and assists.”
One pivotal moment came during a match against Atlético Madrid. Despite being praised at halftime, Rivaldo was substituted early in the second half. Frustrated, he decided to confront Van Gaal the following day, declaring he no longer wanted to play on the wing.
The tension reached its peak when Van Gaal fielded Rivaldo in a cup match alongside a team of youth players, resting stars like Luis Figo, Pep Guardiola, and Luis Enrique.
Rivaldo saw this as an attempt to embarrass him. “Mourinho, who was part of the coaching staff, told me, ‘You’re playing as a No.10,’ but it was clear Van Gaal was trying to humiliate me,” Rivaldo recalled.
Despite these challenges, Rivaldo looks back on his time at Barcelona fondly. In 1999, while at the club, he won the prestigious Ballon d’Or, beating stars like David Beckham and Andriy Shevchenko. “It was a wonderful experience,” Rivaldo said. “I won titles and was voted the best player in the world while at Barcelona. My five years there were unforgettable.”
Rivaldo’s legacy at Barcelona remains intact, even as his stories shed light on the complexities of working with a manager as demanding as Van Gaal.
