RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has admitted that star midfielder Rivaldo will have to get playing quickly if he wants to hang on to his Brazil shirt.
Former Barcelona star Rivaldo was released by AC Milan, the winners of last season's Champions League, on Friday having spent a disillusioned year at the Serie A giants.
And while a number of top clubs are now said to be vying for his signature, Parreira affirmed that any player who was not training and playing could not be expected to be selected for the World Cup winners.
“I think that a player who doesn't train and who isn't playing can not be considered for selection for the national team,” Parreira told reporters here on Friday.
It means Rivaldo will have to find a club quickly if he is to be included in Parreira's squad for Brazil's two qualifying matches in November for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Rivaldo on Friday asked AC Milan to release him after recently spending time on the substitutes' bench and having scored only five goals in 22 appearances last season.
The 31-year-old, who has been linked with Real Madrid and also with a move to the English Premiership, fell out of favour with coach Carlo Ancelotti and admitted he was frustrated at not having been given a real chance.
“I just cannot accept that I have so few opportunities to show what I can do,” Rivaldo said on Friday.
“That became clear to me at Acona where I stayed on the bench during the whole game.
“If I am not allowed to play in games like that I certainly will not be picked for the big clashes.” – AFP
Former Barcelona star Rivaldo was released by AC Milan, the winners of last season's Champions League, on Friday having spent a disillusioned year at the Serie A giants.
