Rivaldo at 50: Failed Bolton move, playacting controversy and Sir Alex Ferguson snub

Rivaldo is one of many players to sit in the pantheon of Brazilian greats.

The versatile forward, who turns 50 today, was one of the stars of a period packed full of them. Playing alongside Ronaldo and Ronaldinho in one of the most exciting front lines of all time, he helped Brazil win the 2002 World Cup.

He played in a legendary Barcelona side, helping to win two La Liga titles and the Copa del Rey, won the Champions League with AC Milan – despite playing a bit-part role – before going on to lead a nomadic and fascinating existence in the latter years of his career.

In an era of true Brazil greats, Rivaldo still manages to stand out. His storied professional career is packed full of wonder-goals, incident and intrigue. To celebrate his half-century, here are some of his best moments.

Rivaldo scored 130 goals and registered 44 assists in 235 games for Barcelona between 1997 and 2002. He gave Barca fans some of the finest memories – and yet his time with the club ended in ignominy.

He did not get on well with Louis van Gaal and was happy to see the Dutchman sacked by Barcelona in June 2000, having been played out of position on the left wing. Unfortunately for him, Van Gaal was back in Catalonia in 2002. One of his first actions was to get rid of Rivaldo, allowing him to join Milan on a free transfer.

"I love Barcelona because I played there for five seasons, and I'm very sad when I see a club of their stature and with their fans in the lower part of the league table," Rivaldo said after joining Milan after winning the World Cup. "But van Gaal is in the situation he deserves, because in life and not only football, you must always try to be a good person. You cannot lie and try to harm other people. What goes around