Rivaldo 'humiliated' for being left on bench

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) -- Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo said on Monday he was being humiliated at Italian club AC Milan, where he was left on the substitutes' bench once again at the weekend.

Rivaldo said he knew why he was being repeatedly overlooked by coach Carlo Ancelotti and said he would reveal the truth at an appropriate moment.

"It's not because I'm out of form or out of shape, you can be certain about that," he said in an interview with the Sao Paulo-based newspaper Jornal da Tarde.

"I know the real reason why I'm not playing and everybody else will also know at the right moment.

"Everyone here at Milan knows that my physical fitness is among the best in the squad, I always stand out in the tests. And that story about my not being well psychologically isn't true, either.

"I'm going through a humiliation."

Rivaldo joined Milan from Barcelona at the start of last season but has struggled to make an impact and played little more than a bit part in his side's victorious Champions League campaign.

He said: "I know when I'm going to play because he [Ancelotti] says good morning. When he's not going to pick me, he doesn't talk to me for the whole week.

"I'm sad about the situation but I've got another two years of my contract to go and I intend to see it through.

"I've heard people say that if I leave, I'll go to Qatar. But you can take note: if I leave Milan, I'll continue in Europe for another three years or so."

Milan's vice-president Adriano Galliani said last week that Rivaldo would be allowed to leave if he asked for a move, adding that there was no problem between the forward and the club.

Rivaldo was picked for Brazil's opening two World Cup qualifiers earlier this month, although his lack of match fitness appeared to hold him back.

But he said he still intended to be in the team when the 2006 World Cup comes around.

"I'm proud to have played 14 matches at the World Cup with the number ten shirt and to have scored eight goals. The problem is that in Brazil people forget very quickly about what I've done," he said.

"I think it's ridiculous to carry out polls to see if I should carry on. [Midfielders] Kaka, Alex and Diego will probably go to the World Cup in 2006, in Germany.

"But I'm Rivaldo and I intend to go as well."

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