Brazil legend Rivaldo’s son Joao Vitor, 17, signs for Portuguese side Vizela as he looks to follow in dad’s footsteps
BRAZILIAN legend Rivaldo’s son Joao Vitor has signed for Portuguese club Vizela.
The 17-year-old, a defensive midfielder, has left Atletico Guara in his homeland to pen a deal with the Primeira League outfit.
Joaquim Ribeiro, the president of Vizela, insists that his arrival was down to “excellent recommendations” and his iconic father’s name had no impact on the signing.
He said: “He didn't come because of Rivaldo, he came because he has quality.
“Rivaldo, as a friend of the people of Vizela, also chose this project because it is a club that will provide him with all the working and safety conditions.
“We believe that, in the future, he can be a great professional player.”
READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
Rivaldo, now aged 50, currently lives in Orlando, Florida in the United States of America.
The 2002 World Cup winner had a long and illustrious career in Brazil, Spain, Italy, Greece, Uzbekistan and Angola, representing no fewer than 13 clubs.
But it was at Barcelona, where he won two LaLiga titles, and AC Milan, where he lifted the Champions League, that the ex-playmaker was really at his pomp.
He received the illustrious Ballon d’Or and was also voted Fifa World Player of the Year in 1999 during his time at the Nou Camp.
Most read in Sport
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
His boy Joao and other son Rivaldinho, who plays for Romanian club Universitatea Craiova, are now the latest prodigies attempting to follow in the famous footsteps of their fathers.
But Rivaldo has previously stated that they should have no extra pressure on them due ti his past exploits.
He said: “Every player wants to make his story. Sometimes they even occupy different positions on the field.
“It can hurt a little bit to be the son of [a former top footballer] because of the pressure. A player has to have personality and show his football.”