I was ridiculed for being picked over Beckham as only man to get in Brazil side

16 December 2023 , 10:00

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Rivaldo was a big fan of Emile Heskey back in the day. (Image: Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

Former England striker Emile Heskey received more than his fair share of criticism during his career, but he won one a huge admirer in Brazil legend Rivaldo.

Heskey, now 45, won 62 caps for his country and despite scoring seven goals, was heavily maligned throughout his time playing for the Three Lions due to his lack of output in front of goal, although the former Liverpool and Leicester City's role in the team was to facilitate the more gifted players around him including Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.

And it was that unselfish streak that caught the eye of 73-cap Seleção Canarinha icon Rivaldo, who named Heskey as the only England player he would take in Brazil's squad that lifted the 2002 World Cup. The pair faced off during a 2002 Champions League clash, with Liverpool and Barcelona playing out a goalless draw.

With the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand to choose from, Rivaldo instead plumped for Heskey when asked which England player he thought could cut it in the famous yellow shirt.

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"Heskey may be heavily criticised by some English fans but I don't see it like that," Rivaldo explained. "I played against him a couple of times for Barcelona against Liverpool in the Champions League and realised what a quality player he is.

"It wasn't long before I began thinking what weight of character and strength Heskey possessed. I told the other players [in Brazil] how dangerous he was. I admire the way he attacks the Premiership. "So when you ask me which Englishman I think would be able to cope with playing in my team, Brazil, I say Heskey."

Emile Heskey won 62 caps for his country, but he was given a hard time by fans and pundits. (AFP via Getty Images)

The former Barca and AC Milan star's declaration was a huge compliment to Heskey and his ability to connect the playmakers around him, but the former target man has revealed the Brazilian's praise came at a cost.

"We played against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup and Rivaldo did a piece, who out of the England team would get in the Brazil side? He picked me... I was fine with that. I knew I could [fit into that Brazil team well], but I was ridiculed for it," Heskey told talkSPORT.

"[He picked me] because he played against me. I think it was all-round play I bring to a team, and he'd seen that. I played against him or Liverpool against Barcelona. We drew away and beat them at home, so he has seen everything I brought to a team."

Heskey enjoyed one of his best moments in an England shirt during that World Cup, scoring in the 3-0 victory over Denmark in the second round. However, Sven-Goran Eriksson's team were dumped out by Rivaldo and eventual winners Brazil in the quarter-finals, with the ex-Olympiacos winger scoring the equaliser before Ronaldinho's infamous free-kick outfoxed David Seaman in a 2-1 defeat in Fukuroi City.

Sam Frost