Rivaldo, legend of FC Barcelona and ambassador of Betfair, He does not believe that the culé problem is arbitration, as its president Josep María Bartomeu denounced, but rather the low performance of the culé team. “In my opinion, FC Barcelona's problem is not the VAR or the arbitration decisions. The fundamental problem is the low quality of their football. They need to improve to return to their style and make everyone fall in love “, Rivaldo commented.
The winner of the 1999 Ballon d'Or is clear that Bartomeu's statements are just “a distraction.” “It is normal that sometimes you are bothered by the decisions of the VAR, but I have always said that I do not think that in arbitrations there is premeditation in favor of Real Madrid or FC Barcelona. Bartomeu's statements have different objectives, but fundamentally he intended to divert media attention from the troubled moment the team is experiencing ”, Rivaldo continued analyzing.
“Accompanying the players in their criticism may seek to take some pressure off them at this very tense moment for the dressing room. Although they are fighting for LaLiga, it is evident that they are going through a bad time, so you start pointing out things like the VAR to justify yourself before the press and the fans and thus claim that it is not your fault, that of the players or that of the coach ”, insisted the Betfair ambassador.
“Real Madrid is not a leader for the VAR”
In the Barça environment it has slipped that Real Madrid is a leader thanks to the favors it receives from the VAR, but Rivaldo flatly rejects that idea. “Barcelona was the leader of LaLiga before the break and now the one ahead is Real Madrid. You cannot say that VAR is responsible for all this, especially when you see how Barcelona plays ”, added.
“The derby against Espanyol has left me worried, Because we all expected something much better, especially after the great game against Villarreal. It leaves me worried, because I don't see Real Madrid skating. Fortunately the game was won and at least the rhythm is not lost ”, the Betfair ambassador tried to get something positive.
“What worries me is the Champions League and Naples”
Rivaldo says that, from the current situation of FC Barcelona, he is not as concerned about the domestic competition as the Champions. “Barcelona will always be fighting for LaLiga and it is a title that has won many times in recent years. No, that doesn't worry me. What worries me, seeing the low rhythm of the team, is the Champions League, which should be the main objective of the club ”, Rivaldo commented.
“Without an audience, with Napoli launched… the return of the round of 16 can be dangerous for Barcelona. And if they qualify, I am clear that they must improve to face the eight final in Lisbon. Although it seems that it is far away, the Champions League is just around the corner ”, warned the Betfair ambassador.
“Now more than ever Neymar should be the target”
Rivaldo, who has always defended the signing of Neymar ahead of Lautaro, believes that now is the time to focus only on his compatriot. “Everything points to the fact that the Lautaro clause has already expired and that Barcelona would have to negotiate with Inter. Without a doubt, I believe that the team should focus on Neymar. And do it already for this summer. If Neymar joins Messi, they will be again that sensational team that won so many years ago. It is the best signing to encourage the group and to give alternatives to the matches, and even give Messi rest, ”the 2002 World Cup winner again advised.
“The descent of Espanyol is a shame”
Finally, Rivaldo wanted to have words of affection for Espanyol, FC Barcelona's eternal rival. Despite this, the Brazilian did not like the parakeet descent. “It is a shame because Spanish football is going to lose a great derby, a great rivalry. Surely many Barça fans will be happy to see the eternal rival descend. I don't remember seeing them out of the Primera, but this is football and if you don't do things right, you end up paying for it ” concluded.