Rivaldo left out of Barcelona squad

Rivaldo has been left out of the FC Barcelona squad to face Real Madrid CF in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League second leg, semi-final at the Santiago Bernabéu.

'Risk of serious injury'
Medical staff said he would risk aggravating a knee injury by playing. "I don't think we should force the injury," Barcelona's club doctor, Ricard Pruna, was quoted as saying in a Barcelona newspaper. "There is a risk that he might suffer a more serious injury and so it is not advisable for him to play especially considering the matches that still remain and the proximity of the [FIFA] World Cup."

Knee-ligament injury
The Brazilian international, who has been plagued by injury problems throughout the season, also missed the 2-0 first-leg defeat after suffering knee-ligament damage in a league match against RC Celta de Vigo.

Doubt over Luis Enrique
Midfielder Luis Enrique was included in the squad, which was announced on Monday, despite being forced off before the end of Saturday's 4-1 Primera División victory against Villarreal CF with a thigh muscle injury. Luis Enrique is expected to undergo a late fitness test as the Catalan side attempt to overturn the two-goal deficit.