By SPENCER MORGAN

A Brazilian great has been called up to play in Sunday’s Soccer Aid with just hours to go until kick-off.

The 53-year-old, who is a World Cup winner, was announced as a member of the Rest of the World team on Saturday night.

The announcement came less than 24 hours before the annual charity game is set to kick-off at Old Trafford.

A clip was posted on social media which showed Rivaldo’s name and famous No 10 being printed on a shirt.

The shirt was then carried to the the Brazilian legend, the caption reading: ‘Rivaldo is playing at Soccer Aid for Unicef.’

Reacting to the news, singer Tom Grennan, who will be lining-up for England, said: ‘Leave it out! Their team is a joke. But what a player. Barcelona legend.’

Rivaldo (left) has been called up got the Rest of the World team for the match at the last minute

Rivaldo (left) has been called up got the Rest of the World team for the match at the last minute

Soccer Aid revealed the addition of the legend on Saturday Singer Tom Grennan labelled the Rest of the World team as being 'a joke'

Soccer Aid revealed the addition of the legend on Saturday, leading to singer Tom Grennan labelling the Rest of the World team as being ‘a joke’

The Brazil legend will join former stats including Wayne Rooney for the annual charity match

The Brazil legend will join former stats including Wayne Rooney for the annual charity match

Rivaldo was a key member of the Brazil team that won the World Cup in 2002 and claimed the Ballon d’Or in 1999. 

He also won two LaLiga titles with Barcelona before getting  his hands on the Champions League with AC Milan.

The World XI includes Edwin van der Sar, Carlos Tevez, Nemanja Vidic, Harry Kewell, and Tony Bellew. 

James, Defoe, Scott, Aaron Lennon, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Steph Houghton, and Toni Duggan are members of england’s team.

The side also feature plenty of athletic prestige in Sir Mo Farah, Dame Denise Lewis, Sam Quek.

Louis Tomlinson, McGuinness, Bear Grylls, entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, presenter Alex Brooker, singer Tom Grennan, and YouTuber AngryGinge will also take part.

Wayne Rooney, Harry Redknapp and Tyson Fury willl serve as managers while James, and actress Vicky McClure.

TV personality Sam Thompson has pulled out of the match and will also act as a coach after a string of injuries, including a calf blow, from his 260-mile Soccer Aid challenge at the start of the month.

Brazil FootballWorld Cup 2026

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Brazil legend and World Cup winner steps in as last-minute addition to the Soccer Aid line-up – as Tom Grennan brands Rest of World team ‘a joke’

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