Rivaldo test for England

Asked who the world player of the year should be, Rivaldo's answer was simple. "Rivaldo," he said, "because I'm the best." England will hardly need reminding that the holder of sport's most coveted shirt - Brazil's number 10 - is not backwards in coming forwards on the pitch either.

Which is why Kevin Keegan might learn more about his team's defensive capabilities today than from any number of training sessions or VIP seats. Bow-legged and skinny Rivaldo may be, but his genius makes the Rolex of football teams tick. For England this is the ultimate test.

"He has just about everything you can want in an attacker," Alex Ferguson says. And just about everything a defender could wish to avoid: skill, speed, strength. His goal from Denilson's cross in Cardiff on Tuesday was a reminder that his head is for more than scheming.

And of course the 28-year-old forward was right. He is world player of the year, and has the European award to go with it. If many of his free-kicks and passes are remarkable for execution rather than imagination, he is also capable of flashes few others would see, let alone carry out.

Robert Page, part of the Wales team beaten 3-0 this week and in 1997 says: "Now and again he'll do something extra special but almost everything Brazil do revolves around him."

Brazil's fluid 2-4-2-2 formation makes Rivaldo harder still to tame. Operating behind the front pair but often ahead of a four-strong line comprising the fullbacks (Cafu and Silvinho) and the more grafting midfielders (Cesar Sampaio and Emerson), he seeks space to weave his magic.

Unless England's midfielders track him, the defence will be exposed to his surging runs and pinpoint passes. Twice against Wales he found room on the edge of the box and shot wide. Eventually he headed his 25th goal from 46 caps.

"You need someone to step on to him as soon as he gets the ball," Page says, "and be fierce with him." Rivaldo acknowledged that Wales' physical approach made it hard for Brazil to find space to play. Even so he once clipped the ball dismissively over Matthew Jones - an act best avoided on Dennis Wise or Paul Ince by anyone who values their ankles - and occasionally breezed past opponents as if they were training cones.

"Some players you can show on to their weaker foot and they won't do a lot," Page says, "but he's got two good feet and the strength to go with it." Indeed, Rivaldo's technique and movement are complemented by assets vital to the modern game: power, athleticism, stamina and hard work.

"His mastery of the football is brilliant but what makes him special is also the way he plays for the team," Denilson explains. "In today's game you see a lot of players who can't dribble or don't have very good control but in the box they are kings and they score a lot of goals. Rivaldo has it all."

How England counter him should offer an insight into their Euro 2000 chances. In Charleroi they will have to deal with the similar threat of Gheorghe Hagi. The Romanian may no longer have the pace of Rivaldo but he too is quick-witted, left-footed and frightening at set-pieces.

And before that comes another formidable number 10, Portugal's Rui Costa. The Fiorentina player can also beat opponents at close quarters, spray passes and make runs from deep. His midfield link-up with Luis Figo is dangerous.

After training yesterday, Rivaldo displayed the calm personality which enables him to deal with the pressure. Today may only be a friendly but Rivaldo is determined to win. England must prove they can cope with the world's best.