Rivaldo to leave AC Milan
29/11/2003
Rivaldo to leave AC Milan
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MILAN,
Nov 29 (Reuters) - Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo is to leave European
champions AC Milan, the Italian club's vice-president said on Saturday.
"It is
with great sadness that I have to say that Rivaldo will leave Milan within a few
days," Adriano Galliani told Radio Spazio Aperto.
Milan
agreed to release Rivaldo from his contract in September but then both the
player and club had a change of heart and he decided to carry on.
However, the Brazilian has been unable to secure regular first team football and
will now be able to look for a new club and move when the transfer window
re-opens in January.
"He
has been unable to find a place in the team and so without doubt he will play
for another club from January," said Galliani.
After
deciding against leaving Milan in September, Rivaldo was reintroduced to the
side and made a substitute appearance in the Champions League against Celta Vigo
but he has not featured since.
England appears the most likely destination for the Brazilian now - in September
Rivaldo said he had received several offers from premier league clubs.
A
return to Spain, where he made his name with Deportivo Coruna and Barcelona
could also be a possibility although the player's high wages could put off some
potential bidders.
Rivaldo joined Milan from Barcelona fresh from winning the World Cup with Brazil
in 2002 but never managed to reproduce the form that made him such a success in
five seasons with Barcelona.
After
a low-key first season in Serie A he was left on the bench for the Champions
League final against Juventus in May and has hardly featured this season for
Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Rivaldo recently described the past year as the worst of his playing career.
"I
honestly don't know why I can't find space in the team even on the bench," he
said before scoring for Brazil against Peru in a South American World Cup
qualifier.
Despite being restricted to the fringes at Milan, the 31-year-old forward has
continued to be a key part of the Brazil side.
But at
the San Siro he has found himself behind compatriot Kaka and Portugal's Rui
Costa in the battle for the slot behind strikers Filippo Inzaghi and Andriy
Shevchenko.
By
Simon Evans