Rivaldo was the player of the World Cup claims Scolari

Former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has named Rivaldo and not team-mate Ronaldo, as the best player at he World Cup finals.

‘I always put the squad first,’ Scolari told France Football

‘But the success of a squad is only possible if great players help it.

‘That was the case with Rivaldo who, for me, was the best player in the World Cup. Tactically as well as in his shots, he was very strong. and I’m not mentioning his new frame of mind.

‘He changed his approach to football,’ said Scolari, who quit the Brazil immediately after the tournament and was recently appointed coach of Portugal.

Of Ronaldo, recently voted World and European Footballer of the Year, Scolari said: ‘Everything was planned for his return to competition during the World Cup to be as smooth and regular as possible.

‘A team is not a man. There were other solutions in his position. But everybody knows that when Ronaldo is on a pitch, the opposition defence are scared because he can be dangerous until the last minute.’

‘Not only did he score eight goals, but like the other stars in the team, he put himself at the team’s service.’