Rivaldo’s career team-mates XI: Is there room for Roberto Carlos?

As careers go, Rivaldo’s was prestigious. With a decade of experience for the Verde-Amarela, the Brazilian won the World Cup in 2002 and scooped the individual accolade of Balon d’Or in 1999.

The 41 year-old is well known for his exploits at Barcelona but also plied his trade at Milan, Deportivo La Coruna and Olympiakos. He spent a brief stint with Uzbekistan outfit Bunyodkor PFK before returning to the humble surroundings of Mogi Mirim, where he is currently enjoying a combined player and chairman role.

The flamboyant midfielder graced the pitch with an abundance of talent across several continents, but who makes it into a XI of Rivaldo’s best team mates in a 4-5-1 formation?

Goalkeeper: Dida

First up in between the sticks is Dida, although quite how much work he would have to do with such a talented back four in front of him is unclear. The goalkeeper made over 200 appearances for Milan and was just shy of a century of caps for Brazil in a successful career. Although he was prone to errors at times, Dida wrote himself into folklore with a trio of saves in the Champions League final penalty shoot-out victory over Juventus in 2003.

Right-Back: Cafu

Although he was recently compared to Liverpool’s John Flanagan, Cafu is widely regarded as one of the best right backs of all time. He was also part of the Milan side that won the Champions League in 2003, but the defender has several more impressive moments than that throughout his career. Cafu captained Brazil to World Cup glory on two occasions, in 1994 and 2002, and is their record caps holder with an enormous 142 to his name. He played for a host of clubs in his homeland and also had a successful spell with another Serie A side, Roma, but retired in 2008 as a modern great and the benchmark many aspire to.

Centre-Back: Carles Puyol

In the heart of our defence is one club man and first non-Brazilian, Carles Puyol. The Spaniard is tough in the tackle, commanding in the air and boasts a fearsome physical presence. Although he is a member of the old school, Puyol has been central to Spain’s tiki-taka revolution of the past decade. He is a three time Champions League winner with Barcelona and has made almost 400 appearances for the Catalan giants. He has been a permanent fixture at the Camp Nou, overseeing several generations of great players while also winning 100 caps for his country. At 35 his influence is waning, but he is surely destined to continue in some capacity for his beloved Barca.

Centre-Back: Alessandro Nesta

A product of Lazio’s youth system, Alessandro Nesta spent nine years with the Rome outfit before a move to Milan in 2002. He, like many of our side, won the Champions League title alongside Rivaldo in 2003, but was also central to the club’s defeat of Liverpool in 2007. He won the Serie A title on three occasions and even added a Canadian championship to his collection during a swansong season at Montreal Impact. Nesta was a key figure in the Azzurri’s World Cup victory in 2006 and won 78 caps and is regarded as one of Italy’s best ever defenders.

Left-Back: Paolo Maldini

As we know from the inclusion of Nesta, Italians know how to defend, but none more so than Paolo Maldini. Although he was primarily a centre-back, he was versatile enough to feature as a full back and would form a fearsome partnership alongside his countryman in this XI. Il Capitano made a staggering 647 appearances for Milan in a career that spanned three decades. Although he retired trophy less from International football, he was Italy’s most capped player but has since been surpassed by Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluigi Buffon. However, he won the Champions League title five times and has an unrivalled domestic trophy haul in Italy. Few would argue he is not deserving of a place in the top echelons of the modern game.

Attacking Midfield: Clarence Seedorf

Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf enjoyed a hugely successful career, winning the Champions League four times with three different clubs. With twenty years of experience across Europe, including stints with Ajax, Internazionale, Milan and Real Madrid it is no wonder he was recently named Milan manager at the age of 37. Scorer of sublime goals, despite playing at the top level well into his thirties, the midfielder’s technique never faltered and he also claimed 87 caps for Oranje.

Defensive Midfield: Xavi

Xavi has redefined what is expected of a central midfielder during his time pulling the strings for Barcelona. He broke into the first team back in 1998 and has never looked back. A master of Spain’s tiki-taka style, his passing is simply outstanding. As Cruyff was remembered for total football, Xavi is amongst the names that will forever be associated with Spain’s unique passing style. A model professional and humble off the pitch, Xavi remains focused to help Barcelona to further success at the age of 34 even though their recent domination of the Champions League, with three victories in the last decade, is seemingly over. Two European titles and a World Cup crown with Spain completes his list of trophies won; there will be little room left in his cabinet when he hangs up his boots.

Attacking Midfield: Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo was put on this planet to pass a football. The Italian’s grace and technique often defy superlatives. Although he lacks mobility in the centre of Juventus’ midfield at 34 years of age, he is pivotal to their success. He is able to carve open the tightest defensive unit and would thrive in almost any team. Nicknamed the architect due to his exquisite range of long passing, Pirlo has played for both Milan sides as well as the Old Lady. He often saves his best performances for the biggest occasion, none more so than during Italy’s World Cup victory in 2006. However, despite putting many of the younger generation to shame, he has announced the World Cup in Brazil later this year will be his last. Above all else, his suave beard will be sorely missed.

Defensive Midfield: Pep Guardiola

Defensive midfielder Pep Guardiola is a product of Barcelona’s La Masia youth system and his playing and managerial style will always be linked to the teachings and morals he learned there from the age of 13. Part of Cruyff’s team that won Barcelona’s first European Cup in the 91-92 season Guardiola played the majority of his career at the Camp Nou, winning six La Liga titles as the Catalans dominated Spanish football during the early 90s. After a brief spell in Italy Guardiola turned his hand to management, where he has been immediately successful employing a high pressing and quick passing game that helped bring in a hugely successful period for Barca with two Champions League titles. With his new side Bayern Munich the favourites for the competition this year, he could soon be adding to his tally.

Attacking Midfield: Ronaldinho

Renowned for amazing dribbling ability, trickery and stylish flicks, this Samba star was a real talent. Although his time at the top was short lived due to a tendency to socialise, Ronaldinho was Barcelona’s golden boy until the emergence of Lionel Messi. A Balon d’Or winner in 2005, Ronaldinho was simply unplayable when he was at the races. Brazil’s hopes of winning the World Cup were pinned on the offensive partnership of Ronaldinho and Rivaldo and the pair responded with a string of fine performances as they eventually beat Germany 2-0 in the final. He featured for PSG and Milan either side of a five year spell at Barca and still turns out for Atletico Miniero, so we could yet see him grace the world stage in his homeland later this year.

Striker: Ronaldo

The original Ronaldo has had some his thunder stolen by Cristiano in recent years, leading him to earn the unfavourable nickname of ‘Fat Ronaldo’. However, in his pomp he was the best striker in the world and impressed at some of Europe’s most prestigious clubs including PSV, Barcelona, Internazionale, Real Madrid and AC Milan. Surprisingly he failed to win the Champions League but was in sensational form through the 90s with 34 goals in 37 appearances in one season at the Nou Camp demonstartive of his power. He won two World Cups with Brazil and infamously played while injured during the 1998 defeat to France. With 15 goals to his name he is the all time top scorer at the World Cup, a feat that is hard to argue against when he is named the best striker of all time.