Brazil's prospects of lifting a fifth World Cup in Japan next month received a major boost today when coach Luiz Felipe Scolari declared Rivaldo fit.
Scolari said the Barcelona playmaker had shaken off the injury to his right knee that had kept him out of action recently and would be ready to play against Malaysia in a friendly on Saturday.
Rivaldo had been forced to sit out training when Brazil's squad assembled in Barcelona last week and missed the last five matches of the Spanish season. He has not played a competitive match in over a month.
Saturday's match against Malaysia will be Brazil's last before they open their World Cup campaign against Turkey on June 3rd. China and Costa Rica are also in their first round group.
Scolari said Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos would feature alongside Rivaldo in the match with Malaysia.
AFP