Barcelona have announced that their Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo will quit the club.
The 1999 World Footballer of the Year and the Spanish first division side club have reached an amicable agreement whereby the player can leave the Nou Camp twelve months before his contract is due to expire.
The 30-year-old’s future att the club has been in doubt since Louis van Gaal returned to the club. It has been reported that van Gaal and Rivaldo do not get on and once his return as coach was confirmed, it seemed only a matter of time before there was a parting of the ways. .
Barcelona issued a statement confirming Rivaldo’s departure on the club’s website.
“Barcelona and Rivaldo announce that today they reached agreement which brings to an end a fve year professional relationship,’ read the statement.
“Both parties consider the decision is in their mutual interest.” It goes on to note that the talks between them were conducted in “good spirits” and ended by paying tribute to the player.
“Barcelona recognises thecontribution Rivaldo has made and his permanent professionalism over the years towards the club.”
Rivaldo has already been linked with a move to Lazio and it has been suggested that the Brazilian may even join Barcelona’s arch rivals Real Madrid. However, both clubs have denied interest in the player.
