Spurs striker on form
The World Cup has a magic power for turning good players into global stars in the flash of an eye and there’s no denying that Brazilian striker Richarlison felt the warm glow of that limelight on Thursday, following his nation’s hard-fought 2-0 victory over a disciplined and dogged Serbian team.
Although most of the cameras spent the evening tracking Neymar around the pitch, it was the Tottenham Hotspur striker that ended up being Brazil’s hero after firing home a close-range finish in the 62nd minute only to truly outdo himself with an outstanding volley 11 minutes later to confirm all three points for Brazil. The World was suddenly awoken to the remarkable goal scoring talents of the Spurs striker, who ranks among the most expensive Brazilians in history since his transfer last summer.
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This, of course, was no surprise to fans of the Seleção. Leading up to the tournament in Qatar, Richarlison has established himself as Tite’s go-to target Man in the box, with a remarkable run of form that has seen him now bag nine goals in seven games across 2022. And there’s little doubt that the 25-year-old talent will be hoping to add to that tally against Switzerland, Cameroon and whoever his nation faces in the latter stages of the tournament.
However, putting aside the obvious benefits of goals and how they tend to lead to teams winning games, Richarlison’s style of play and directness in front of goal could mean so much more to Brazil. And perhaps be the final piece of the puzzle for a nation that has been desperately trying to get back to the top of international football for some time.
Brazil’s need for a goalscorer – a problem that haunts the nation
Indeed, while Brazil have always produced remarkable flair players that can play on the wing, dazzled at full back or dance by opposing players in the middle of the pitch, the country’s current rut when it comes to World Cup success undoubtedly sits in parallel with it’s lack of a real No.9 for much of the current generation.
Player Comparison
Tottenham Hotspur
Paris Saint-Germain
€50.00m
Market Value
€75.00m
Centre-Forward
Position
Left Winger
Jun 30, 2027
Contract until
Jun 30, 2025
Full Player Comparison
In fact, much of the nation’s failures at the last four World Cups can be put down to the nation lacking a traditional striker that can put the ball in the back of the net. For example, in 2006 the nation was relying on a Ronaldo that was well past his peak and managed just three goals in five games. Four years later the nation was even more desperate for a proven goalscorer and was stuck relying on Luís Fabiano, who also managed just three goals in five games as Brazil got knocked out at the quarter-final stages.
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The 2014 World Cup undoubtedly saw Neymar come of age and four goals in his first five games suggested that he could take up the responsibility that once belonged to Pele and Ronaldo. However, an injury ruled him out of the semi-finals against Germany and as a result Brazil were rather unceremoniously dumped out of their own competition. And the 2018 World Cup, in which Neymar managed just two goals in five games, all but confirmed that the former Santos star was more winger than all-out goalscorer.
As such, Brazil haven’t really managed to rely on a classic No.9 since Ronaldo was at the peak of his powers in 2002, when he bagged eight goals in seven games and his nation picked up their fifth World Cup trophy. And while few would argue that Richarlison is as talented as his compatriot was more than 20 years ago, his goals could prove to be just as important in Qatar. Brazil finally have a proper No.9 back in their starting XI and it could finally allow them to claim that sixth World Cup title.
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