“It’s a complete lie. I have heard about these rumours but I am not going to leave now for Brazil,” he told www.the-afc.com after being linked by news reports to Brazilian club Moji-Mirim.

“At present I am with Bunyodkor. There is such a club (Moji-Mirim) in Brazil and I know the people running this club but I don’t have any desire to return home now,” said Rivaldo, who signed a one-year deal with the Uzbek giants last month.

“I have played for the strongest clubs in Europe and my aim is to share my experience and knowledge with the local players,” said the 2002 World Cup winner.

When asked what impressed him to sign up for Bunyodkor, Rivaldo said: “I thought a lot before coming to Uzbekistan but I liked the club chairman’s desire to develop this country’s football and wanted to help him achieve his goals.”

The former World Player of the Year was surprised with the standard of Uzbekistan football.

“It was surprising for me to see the talented local players and the level of the game here. I am impressed with some of my teammates including Server Djeparov, Aziz Haydarov and Timur Kapadze. They have the ability to play for any club in Europe,” said the 36-year-old midfielder.