Rivaldo, at the age of 43, etched his name in the soccer history books once more on Tuesday. The father-son duo of Rivaldo and Rivaldinho became the first tandem to score goals in a professional match since 2010.
The Brazilian international, known for his glory days at Barcelona and with the Seleção, called it a career back in March in order to serve his post as president of Serie B side Mogi Mirim. He saw his career take off as a player for Mogi Mirim in the early 90s before he was loaned to Corinthians. He eventually became a World Cup winner in 2002, working alongside Ronaldo.
However, as a president, concerns about his side being in the relegation zone and the urge to play again with his son forced Rivaldo to come out of retirement yet again, making his debut on Friday (1-1 draw). Playing in Estadio Romildo Ferreira on Tuesday, the stadium that bears his father's name, Rivaldo witnessed his son, Rivaldinho, score in the third and 41st minute of the match. What made the match for the elder Rivaldo even more emotional was that one of the two goals scored by his 20-year-old son came on a direct assist from father Rivaldo.
Rivaldo, wearing the captain's armband, also scored a goal on a questionable penalty kick call in the 16th minute, securing a 3-1 victory over Macaé. You can catch the highlights, along with the questionable PK here:
"[To] have the opportunity to play alongside your child and even participate directly in the team's goals, it was without a doubt exciting. I can say that this will be unforgettable tonight," Rivaldo, via the team's official Facebook page.
Physically, Rivaldo looks like he's been drinking from the fountain of youth -- his appearance would suggest that he hasn't aged a bit. But after the match, Mogi Mirim posted photos on Facebook of the 1999 FIFA World Player of the Year winner receiving medical treatment -- with what appeared to be injection(s) -- on his right knee. The look on his face says it all. Fifty minutes of action was enough to leave him in excruciating pain. Though he looks fit, it's an incredibly sad sight that he can barely last a half on the pitch.
Rivaldo, per Globoesporte.com:
"I feel pain. I received an injection to play. I talked to the Mogi (Mirim) doctor and Corinthians doctor also. I will ask him to examine my right knee to see if it requires surgery or not and to see if I can keep playing."
What his coach had to say about his heroic performance:
"The effort and dedication he has in training is not for everyone. I do not want him to go beyond the limit. He needs to be happy and live with what built here."
A photo posted by Rivaldo Ferreira (@rivaldooficial) onJul 14, 2015 at 7:50pm PDT
Osman and Naeem Sidik were the last father-son duo to score in a game. They did it in 2010 for Whalley Range, a bottom feeder club in Manchester. Eidur and Arnor Gudjohnsen and Henrik and Jordan Larsson were among the notable father-son duos in soccer. At the age of 18, Eidur made his international debut for Iceland as a substitute for his father in 1996. Henrik Larsson came out of retirement to play with his son Jordan for Hogaborgs, a Sweedish fourth-tier club. The 43-year-old Henrik is currently a player-manager for Helsingborgs IF -- the same club where his son plays for.
