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Regadless of the final result, the 2002 World Cup has
been sweet redemption for Brazil's Rivaldo.
Despite being one of the most celebrated stars in
all of the soccer world, Rivaldo's spot on the Brazilian
side was anything but a certainty a month prior to the
tournament's kickoff.
Soccer pundits wondered aloud whether the former FIFA
Footballer of Year was washed up.
Critics pointed to an injured right knee and a history
of international underachievement and argued Rivaldo
shouldn't be included on the Brazilian side.
Later, Rivaldo admitted the criticisms stung.
"A lot things were said, there were even jokes and
all sort of comments about my knee and this made me
a bit sad," he explained.
"A lot of people said I would not be in the World
Cup because of the problems but here am I in the World
Cup and I'm happy with what I'm doing for the national
team."
Rivaldo's performance against Japan has been both
spectacular and controversial.
Coming into Brazil's semifinal matchup with Turkey,
the Barcelona star has scored in each of his side's
first five matches. He's tied for the lead in the race
for the Golden Boot as top scorer at the World Cup with
five goals, along with teammate Ronaldo and Germany's
Miroslav Klose.
"I don't like to give an opinion about myself. But
I feel fine, I'm happy with the way I'm playing and
happy with my recovery, because I went through very
difficult moments," Rivaldo said.
He also raised the ire of some fans by faking an injury
during Brazil's 2-1 victory over Turkey during group
play.
In the waning minutes of the match, Turkish midfielder
Hakan Unsal kicked the ball at the Brazilian as he prepared
to take a corner kick.
Rivaldo dropped to the pitch and clutched his face
in apparent agony despite obviously being hit in the
leg.
The referee immediately slapped Unsal with a red card.
Rivaldo was fined for the incident but showed no remorse,
arguing that faking injuries can at times can be a wise
tactical strategy.
International soccer hasn't always been kind to the
Brazilian star.
After making his debut in December 1993, Rivaldo was
left off the Brazilian team that won the World Cup in
1994. He was a member of the 1996 Brazilian Olympic
team and was heavily criticized after a semifinal loss
to Nigeria.
The mixed international results, coupled with his
strong play at club level, led many to question whether
Rivaldo was truly committed to the national program.
But he has silenced his critics with his World Cup
play, past and present. Rivaldo was by far the best
player on a Brazilian squad that lost to the host team
from France in the finals of the 1998 tournament.
The following year, Rivaldo guided Brazil to the Copa
America and Barcelona to the Spanish league title. For
his efforts he was named FIFA's 1999 World Player of
the Year.
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