Returning 'Europeans' will revive Brazil's fortunes, feels Rivaldo

Barcelona forward Rivaldo is convinced the return of Europe-based players to Brazil's squad will boost the national team in their struggling World Cup qualifiers.

Rivaldo, Real Madrid's Roberto Carlos, Antonio Carlos, Cafu, Serginho and Jardel are among the 'Europeans' called back by new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to play against Uruguay next week.

Brazil, however, lie fourth in the South American World Cup standings, with just six wins in 12 games. The top four teams qualify from the group for the 2002 World Cup, with the fifth team playing off against the winners of the Oceania region.

Scolari's predecessor Emerson Leao had axed most of the Brazilians playing abroad because of what he viewed as lacklustre performances.

"How we got so low, it's hard to say, I'm only a player. My opinion is that it's not at all the same team as the one who played the final against France in 1998," Rivaldo told French soccer weekly France Football.

"There were far two many changes. Four, five players have gone. It's a lot.

"In other big squads like France, Italy, Argentina, Spain or Holland, the same players or practically the same are going to play the next World Cup. It makes a real difference," he added.

Rivaldo, who was named European footballer of the year two seasons ago, blamed the Brazilian press for creating much of the pressure which led to chopping and changing in the national squad.

"In Brazil, almost every day new players get the attention. When a player shines for three or four matches, the carioca or paulista press say he should be called up," he said.

"At some of the Brazil training camps, I happened not to know the name of a player, not out of ill will but because it (the squad) changes so fast.

"We have been struggling in qualifiers because there was no will to call the Europeans, that's all."