Player Duels: Rivaldo Vs Ronaldinho

Barney Corkhill's Player Duels, the series that pits two players against each other and asks the readers to decide who is better, returns.

This time it is again a battle of two Brazilian superstars, as Rivaldo faces Ronaldinho. Both were among the most skillful players in the world in their time, and defences everywhere feared them. But who was better?

Rivaldo

Now playing in the lowly Uzbek league, Rivaldo, in his prime, was tearing European defences to pieces. With his infallible technique, superb play-making, and thunderous left-foot, Rivaldo was a force to be reckoned with.

Overall, after playing professional football for clubs in five different countries, Rivaldo's record currently stand at 292 goals in 627 games, which is not a bad record for a midfielder. For Brazil, he scored 36 goals in 86 caps between 1993 and 2003.

He was part of Brazil's successful 2002 World Cup campaign, as well as the unsuccessful 1998 one. He has been voted World and European Player of the Year once, both coming in 1999.

Ronaldinho

His recent move to AC Milan put an end to his tenure at Barcelona, as he made the same move as a certain Rivaldo out of the Nou Camp and into the San Siro. His dazzling skills and seemingly permanent smile have made him a fan favourite everywhere he has gone.

Although still playing, of course, Ronaldinho's current stats are 126 goals in 300 games, and he has played 88 times for Brazil, scoring 35 times, a slightly worse record than Rivaldo's.

Like Rivaldo, Ronaldinho was a part of Brazil's successful 2002 World Cup campaign. He has also won the Ballon d'Or once and has been named World Player of the Year twice, in 2004 and 2005.

So ladies and gentlemen, who was better: Rivaldo or Ronaldinho? Leave a comment to vote!

Click here to see more duels by this author.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?