Rivaldo, FC Barcelona legend and Betfair ambassador, has defended the right of Sergio Ramos to renew or not with Real Madrid. The Brazilian has referred to this case a few days after Ramos himself made public with enthusiasm the gift of a shirt signed by the Brazilian. It was dedicated “to the best defense in history.”
“Sergio Ramos has nothing to prove to anyone and you have earned the right to decide your future. Real Madrid fans and the board they have to understand his decision whatever it is, because he has always given everything for those colors”Rivaldo explained emphatically.
The winner of the 1999 Ballon d'Or does not rule out that Ramos ends up leaving. “Real Madrid seems to be looking to reduce salaries due to COVID-19 and that could play in favor of his decision to leave from the perspective of the salary he receives, because he has powerful clubs interested in him such as PSG “said the Betfair ambassador. “After 15 years with the whites, maybe it is time to face new challenges. It is logical that at Real Madrid they feel the same as when Cristiano Ronaldo left, but the players come and go and the clubs are the ones that remain, ”Rivaldo recalled.
The true story of the Ramos jersey
Rivaldo also took the opportunity to tell the true story of that shirt he gave to Ramos: “A lot has been said, but it's as simple as a few weeks ago we chatted about a photo I posted. It was from when I played against him at Olympiacos. After talking, we said we would send each other some T-shirts. It is done. Its normal”. “We admire each other and that goes beyond rivalries. He is one of the best defenders in the world and the fact that I play for Real Madrid doesn't make me change my mind”Clarified the Betfair ambassador.
“If we pressure Pedri, we can ruin him”
Rivaldo applauded the performance of Pedri, a young star of FC Barcelona, in the last matches, but recalled that it can be counterproductive to burden him with responsibilities. “We can ruin Pedri's career if we put too much pressure on him. He's only 18 years old. That is precisely why other veterans must step up and assume their responsibilities, ”Rivaldo commented without specifying which other players he refers to.
“What is a great player, nobody denies it. There is already talk of playing the Euro with Spain … But that doesn't mean anything. He has to go through his normal process and play his football as usual, as Koeman tells him. Messi will probably not continue next season, so Pedri will have more responsibilities. But, for now, it should not change ”, insisted the Betfair ambassador.
“It's good to win in the league, but the key will be the Champions League”
Rivaldo clarified that the last good results of the FC Barcelona in Liga are positive, but that the true “cotton test” will be the Champions League. “The real test is yet to come when they play against PSG. Then we will see the true limits of this team. If they are able to eliminate a Champions League finalist, they may heal their wounds and everything changes for the better. Otherwise, it could demoralize them for the rest of the season, ”commented the Betfair ambassador. In this regard, Rivaldo advises: “Pochettino's arrival at PSG will help boost the team and put him close to his great goal, which is to win the Champions League ”.
“Although Messi is not well, he is the best of Barcelona”
Rivaldo positively valued Messi's last games. “The year has started very well. We still don't know if he will renew, but those matches show that Messi remains for at least two-three more seasons. That he can still play at a very high level. It is true that this Messi is not the best Messi … but still he is still the best of the Barcelona player due to his virtues and importance for the team”Recalled the Betfair ambassador.
“For Costa to leave Atlético was normal”
Rumors place to Wolverhampton interested in Diego Costa after his departure from Atlético de Madrid. Rivaldo urged the Spanish-Brazilian to think about that interest. “It would allow him to return to the country where he left a great memory with Chelsea, play regularly and have a good salary. It would be a good option after leaving Atlético, which was something natural. He did not play and his role was getting smaller, “insisted the Betfair ambassador. Rivaldo concluded declaring himself an admirer of the Lagarto footballer. “I am a fan of his virtues, of his scoring ability. It is something he has shown in all the teams he has been on ”.