Rivaldo holds nothing back: The key to the Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Real Madrid

Rivaldo, one of the great icons of FC Barcelona, has shown on several occasions that he closely follows the current events of the Azulgrana team. The former player of the Catalan club does not miss the opportunity to make statements in which he demonstrates his extensive knowledge about Hansi Flick's team, especially before they face challenges of great magnitude for the Barcelona team.

In his recent appearance on Betfair, the betting house of which he is an ambassador, Rivaldo did not fail to comment on the Copa del Rey final, in which Barcelona will face Real Madrid. For the 2002 world champion with Brazil, although both squads are going through very different situations, Barça should not be complacent against the dangerous rival.

The danger of a motivated Real Madrid

Rivaldo did not hesitate to point out that Real Madrid will be especially dangerous in this match. According to the winner of the 1999 Ballon d'Or, the Merengues will be extra motivated at La Cartuja, as it is the only award they have left to fight for to avoid finishing the season without a title. "Real Madrid is going to do everything possible to try to save the season by being Copa champions against their great rival, who is in good shape. It is clearly their great opportunity to save this season," he asserted.

"Real Madrid is going to do everything possible to try to save the season by being Copa champions"

Barcelona: favorite, but with no room to underestimate the rival

Despite recognizing the danger of the rival, Rivaldo highlighted the great form that the Azulgrana team is going through, which he considers the favorite for this duel. However, the former player stressed that in a final, even more so in a Clásico, there is no clear favorite, so the Catalan team must be focused. "Theoretically, Barcelona is the favorite, but we know that, in football, when it comes to a final between Barcelona and Real Madrid, there cannot be a clear favorite. We see that Barça is doing well in La Liga and in the Champions League, but this is another competition and it is a one-off final," he warned.

Raphinha and the rumors about his future in Saudi Arabia

Although the topic is not directly related to the Copa del Rey final, the Copa América champion with Brazil in 1999 also referred to the rumors about the interest of Saudi Arabian football, particularly Al-Hilal, in signing Raphinha in the next summer market. The former Barcelona striker explained that the decision of a footballer like 'Rapha' depends on several factors, including personal and economic ambitions. "It depends a lot on how he thinks, whether in economic terms or in the possibility of making history in world football and with his national team, wanting to be a champion. Going to Arabia does not mean he loses his place in the national team, but the level is completely different. Although it has improved, it does not have the same intensity as Barça," Rivaldo concluded.