Rivaldo to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Rivaldo fans. Speculation had been rife that Barcelona Ballon d'Or winner is about to announce his retirement from sports, at age 53, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 13/04/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a footballer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a footballer just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouRivaldo

For a little while on Sunday evening, #ThankYouRivaldo was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Rivaldo was unlike any other footballer we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouRivaldo”
— @universalObserver, 12 Apr 2026

“I thought Rivaldo retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 12 Apr 2026

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