Barca terminate Rivaldo's contract

Spanish giants Barcelona have agreed to terminate Brazil World Cup star Rivaldo's contract, with immediate effect, according to reports.

The UEFA website quotes a statement by the Catalan club that says: "Both parties believe that this decision comes in their best interests."

The statement continues: "They wish to express the satisfactory nature of their relationship up to now and the good spirit in which the talks took place.

"Barcelona wants to recognise the contribution of Rivaldo and his professionalism throughout all these years at the club.''

Rivaldo, who had one more season to run on his contract, joined Barcelona from Deportivo La Coruna in 1997 and helped the club to the Primera Liga title in his first two seasons under Dutch coach Louis van Gaal.

The 30-year-old was the 1999 FIFA World Player of the Year and European Footballer of the Year.

He went on to score five goals in this year's World Cup to help Brazil to lift the title.