Rivaldo named shock England player as the only one would get in Brazil's World Cup-winning team from 2002
Rivaldo picked a surprise England player as the only one who could have played for Brazil's 2002 World Cup squad.
Brazil legend Rivaldo was part of perhaps one of the greatest International teams of all time, playing for his country alongside the likes of Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldinho and Kaka.
After finishing as runners-up in the 1998 World Cup, Rivaldo enjoyed the biggest moment of his career as Brazil won the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
In the quarter-finals, the legendary Brazil squad faced off against England's 'golden generation,' with Rivaldo scoring shortly before half-time, cancelling out Michael Owen’s early goal before Ronaldinho scored a stunning free-kick to win the game.
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But years after the match, Rivaldo admitted that there was one player from the England side that he thinks could have played for Brazil's World Cup winning team, and it's not who you might expect.
Despite playing against an England team made up of players like Steven Gerrard, David Beckham and Frank Lampard, Rivaldo later revealed that he would have picked Emile Heskey to join the Brazil squad.
"Heskey may be heavily criticised by some English fans but I don't see it like that," Rivaldo said, as per talkSPORT.
"I played against him a couple of times for Barcelona against Liverpool in the Champions League and realised what a quality player he is.
"It wasn't long before I began thinking what weight of character and strength Heskey possessed.
"I told the other players [in Brazil] how dangerous he was. I admire the way he attacks the Premiership.
"So when you ask me which Englishman I think would be able to cope with playing in my team, Brazil, I say Heskey."
Although Heskey was understandably happy to have received praise from a legend of the sport, he admitted that off the back of Rivaldo's comments he received backlash from fans.
"We played against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup, and Rivaldo did a piece [about] who out of the England team would get in the Brazil side?” Heskey told talkSPORT.
“He picked me... I was fine with that!
“I knew I could [fit into that Brazil team well], but I was ridiculed for it.”
Throughout their careers, Rivaldo and Heskey faced off on five occasions.
Topics: Rivaldo, Brazil, England, Football, FIFA World Cup
Ben McCrum