Soccer: Rivaldo sets Barca leaving date
Former World Player of the Year Rivaldo has revealed he will leave Barcelona when his contract expires in summer 2003.
The news, announced on Rivaldo's personal website, is sure to interest Europe’s elite clubs, with Manchester United known to admire the Brazilian international, who turns 29 later this month.
Europe’s big-spending clubs may now try and tempt Barca to part with Rivaldo before he is allowed to leave for nothing in two years’ time.
"The Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has already said that he wants me to stay and I also want to stay,"said Rivaldo.
"But I am not going to renew with Barcelona when my contract finishes in two seasons.
"I will be 31-year-old then and I do not want to retire. I will be fine to continue playing.
"It is not my intention to return to Brazil either - I want to continue playing in Europe."
He had previously been linked with moves away from the Nou Camp, but Barca are believed to have quoted a fee of £50m in order to ward off interested clubs.
Staying in Spain appears an unlikely option, with Real Madrid probably the only club who could afford his wages, meaning Italy and England are his most likely destinations.
"I suppose that there will be European clubs interested," he added.
"Any European team should want me when I am 31-year-old, but now what interests me is to fulfil my contract with Barca and to win as many titles as possible. We can win the UEFA Cup, Copa del Rey and even La Liga."
