Barca coach drops Rivaldo after row

Barca coach drops Rivaldo after row
Reuters

BARCELONA, DECEMBER 21: The future of European Player of the Year Rivaldo was in doubt today when he was dropped from the Barcelona first team following a row with Coach Louis Van Gaal.

The Brazilian was left out of the squad for the Spanish first division match against Rayo Vallecano tomorrow. Van Gaal, the uncompromising Dutch coach of the Catalan giants, explained that Rivaldo had said he no longer wanted to play on the left side of the Barca attack and wanted a more central role.

``Yesterday Rivaldo spoke to me and said he no longer wanted to play on the left. Because of that, he's been left out of the squad,'' Van Gaal told reporters. ``It was a surprise for me and a surprise for his team mates. It's a great shame.

``Barcelona has always had the philosophy that the club comes ahead of everyone the players, the coach and the employees.''

The move is sure to fire further speculation about Rivaldo's future at the club, after he was linked with a possible move to Manchester United. Rivaldo had airedthe complaint last season too, but knuckled down to hit the best form of his life, scoring 24 goals as Barcelona romped to the league title.