Former Barcelona and Brazil forward Rivaldo once revealed the England player he would have taken in the Selecao national team.
Rivaldo, 52, is best known for his time at Barca between 1997 and 2002 – during which he registered 130 goals and 46 assists in 235 appearances for the La Liga side.
He arguably reached his peak in the late ’90s and secured the 1999 Ballon d’Or, having won back-to-back league titles between 1997 and 1999.
But it was not just the Catalan side who he won silverware with. His biggest triumph of all came at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, with a talented Brazil side – including Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldinho and Kaka – winning the tournament, having previously finished as runners-up in 1998.
Advert
On their way to the final, Brazil faced England in the quarter-finals. Rivaldo got on the score sheet just before half-time, cancelling out Michael Owen’s early strike before Ronaldinho scored a wonder goal from a free-kick that deceived England goalkeeper David Seaman.
Rivaldo later named one player from the England side that he would pick for Brazil.
He had David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard to choose from but opted for Emile Heskey.
"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 in 2019.
Advert
“He picked me... I was fine with that!
“I knew I could [fit into that Brazil team well], but I was ridiculed for it.”
Heskey faced Rivaldo on five occasions during his playing career.
Advert
“I played against him for Liverpool against Barcelona,” Heskey added.
“We drew away and beat them at home, so he has seen everything I brought to a team.”
In 2002, the Brazilian told Liverpool.com that he “admired” the way Heskey played.
"Heskey may be heavily criticised by some English fans but I don't see it like that," Rivaldo said.
Advert
"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."
Topics: Rivaldo, Brazil, England, David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Champions League
Luke Alfred Davies