Parreira pleased with Rivaldo decision

BRAZIL coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has backed Rivaldo's decision to stay at Milan.

The forward appeared set for a spell in the football wilderness after it was announced last week that his contract had been annulled.

However, with Rivaldo unable to move to a new club until the transfer window opens in January, he opted to stay at San Siro until at least January.

Parreira warned Rivaldo that he would have to be playing to continue to figure for his country, and the coach has been true to his word as the forward has kept his place in Brazil's squad for their friendly with Jamaica next month.

"It's good for everyone, everyone wins," Parreira said of Rivaldo's decision to stay at Milan.

With the game against Jamaica being played in England, Parreira has opted to include some Premiership flair by recalling Middlesbrough's Juninho, as well as including Gilberto Silva of Arsenal and Roque Junior from Leeds.

Squad: Julio Cesar (Flamengo), Dida (Milan); Edmilson (Lyon), Lucio (Bayer Leverkusen), Roque Junior (Leeds United), Belletti (Villarreal), Cafu (Milan), Junior (Parma), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid); Emerson (Roma), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Juninho (Middlesbrough), Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon), Kaka (Milan), Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich); Rivaldo (Milan), Ronaldinho (Barcelona) Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Adriano (Parma), Denilson (Real Betis)