Rivaldo hits back at van Gaal accusations

Rivaldo has hit back at accusations by Barcelona coach Louis van Gaal that a lack of commitment was the reason behind the Catalan club's decision to release the Brazilian international from his contract.

The 30-year-old forward claimed that the van Gaal, who in his previous post as the Dutch national coach failed to steer his side to qualification for the World Cup, was jealous of his success at this summer's tournament in South Korea and Japan.

"He is envious because I won a tournament (the World Cup) that he couldn't even qualify for," Rivaldo said on his personal website on Wednesday.

"I feel sorry for van Gaal and understand why he is so angry. With all the stars in the Dutch team he wasn't even capable of guiding them towards qualification for the World Cup."

Earlier on Wednesday the Dutch coach denied that he had anything personal against Rivaldo, but said that a request from the player to extend his holidays had triggered the decision to annul his contract a year before it was due to expire.

"I liked Rivaldo when he was committed and motivated," said van Gaal speaking from the club's pre-season training base in Switzerland.

"But after he asked for two more weeks' holiday this weekend knowing full well that we have to play a Champions League qualifier he showed that he did not have the necessary commitment to Barcelona.

"Winning the World Cup was a great achievement for Rivaldo, but he has to remember that it was the club that was paying him and the club must come first," he said.

Van Gaal also claimed that Rivaldo appeared to show more determination and commitment when he played for Brazil than for Barcelona.

"His level dropped more for Barca than for Brazil," he said. "When you saw Rivaldo play for Brazil you saw an enthusiastic player, who wanted to work for his team. That is the difference."

CHANGE IN ATTITUDE

Van Gaal, who was first in charge at the Nou Camp from 1997-2000, said that he had detected a change in attitude from the player after he won the World and European Player of the Year awards in 1999.

"I liked Rivaldo before he was chosen as the world's best player but since then he has not performed as well," he said.

"I wanted that Rivaldo because he was the best, but from that time on he didn't deal with either his personal or sporting situation in the right manner."

Van Gaal had a high profile run-in with Rivaldo in December 1999 - the same month in which he was given the two prestigious awards - when the Brazilian demanded to play in the centre of the pitch rather than out on the left wing.

The Dutchman won that test of strength and Rivaldo was forced to apologise for his comments after sitting out two games but relations between the two suffered irrevocable damage.

Rivaldo responded in kind to the criticisms from his former coach that he had changed attitude after being given the international awards.

"I would also like to see the van Gaal before I won those awards - the one that was European champion (as Ajax coach) and won various league titles and not the one that was unable to lead the Netherlands to qualification.

"Honestly, it makes me sad that he has tried to undermine me like this," he added.

The player, who is negotiating a possible move to Italian club AC Milan, said he would give his version of his departure in the near future.

"I am on holiday at the moment and I can't give a press conference but I promise to do so as soon as I have had a rest," he said.