Patrick Kluivert has warned his team-mates that the time has come for the club to emerge from the shadows of arch-rivals Real Madrid.
After three baron years Barcelona’s success-starved fans are becoming increasingly impatient.
“The public is right,” said Kluivert, “this year we must do something.”
Hopes for the forthcoming campaign have been raised by the signing of Juan Roman Riquelme for 11 million euros.
Kluivert praised the young Argentine sensation, but insisted that his arrival should not signify an end to Rivaldo’s time at the Nou Camp.
“He (Rivaldo) can decide a game in one moment. It’s important for us to have players like him in the squad ….. I hope he doesn’t leave.”
The problem is that Barca now have five foreign players – Spanish league rules only allow four to be used in any one game. To confound matters, Rivaldo, 30, has only a year left to run on his current contract.
Meanwhile, Lazio owner Serio Cragnotti has made no secret of his desire to sign the Brazilian World Cup winner.
