Football
ESPN staff 9y

Brazil great Rivaldo makes comeback at 43

Former Brazil star Rivaldo made his comeback at 43 years old as Mogi Mirim secured an overdue victory over Nautico in a Serie B match on Tuesday.

Rivaldo, who is club president at the second-tier club, had hung up his boots in 2014 but said last month he could return to action if he felt he could help the team. 

Estou muito feliz de ter jogado este jogo contra o Náutico depois de 15 meses sem atuar em um jogo oficial, Mogi Mirim 2 x 1 Náutico quase 70 minutos em campo. Deus é fiel Mas agradeçamos a Deus, que nos dá a vitória por meio do nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo! (‭1 Coríntios‬ ‭15‬:‭57‬

A photo posted by Rivaldo Ferreira (@rivaldooficial) on

The 2002 World Cup ultimately decided in favour of a return, and played 68 minutes of the 2-1 win, although both goals came after his substitution.

He was withdrawn with Mogi Mirim 1-0 down, having missed a chance in the first-half, and they equalised just two minutes later through Serginho, who then scored a late winner to secure his side's first victory in 11 attempts.

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Com a presença de Rivaldo no time titular, o Mogi Mirim conquistou a primeira vitória no Campeonato Brasileiro da Série...

Posted by Mogi Mirim EC on Tuesday, 7 July 2015

"After one year and three months, I started training back again and went out to play at a match after just 20 days and that inspires any younger player," Rivaldo said, according to Reuters.

Mogi Mirim remain bottom of the table and the 1999 World Player of the Year added: "I helped the team get out of this predicament. We are still in a difficult situation and we are doing our best to get out of it."

Rivaldo recently stirred up controversy with the Sao Paolo-based club's fans when he raised ticket prices for home matches from about $6 to about $32, making them the most expensive ticket prices in Brazil. 

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