Brazilian journalist Marcio Spimpolo has somewhat harshly criticised Richarlison, and the Everton man hit back on Instagram.
What’s the story?
Well, as documented by UOL, Spimpolo said Richarlison doesn’t deserve to wear the No.10 shirt for Brazil.
He believes it belong to players who are above average, something that the £40m Everton man is not, in his eyes – ouch.
Spimpolo wrote: “Using the 10 of Brazil is the picture of our football. Too poor. You can be nice, dedicated and nice, but the 10 is for the guy above average, something you are not. And, with all due respect, we make a great selection and without you, man. Criticism makes people great. Those who think they are untouchable are getting nowhere, my dear”.
As UOL write, Richarlison simply replied by calling the South American journalist a ‘sucker’ on Instagram – fair enough, in all honesty.
Yes, Richarlison isn’t Neymar, or Ronaldo, or Ronaldinho, or Rivaldo, but he has done well for his country and clearly represents them with pride.
The £90,000-a-week forward also led his nation to success at the Olympic Games over the summer, scoring five goals to secure a gold medal.
Everton need to see Brazil version of Richarlison
In four Premier League appearances this season, the 24-year-old has only scored one goal – he is certainly capable of more.
It comes after Richarlison netted just seven Premier League goals in 34 games last term – again, he can do better, although that isn’t woeful.
For Brazil, the former Watford man seems to go up a gear, and Rafa Benitez needs to find a way to get that form out of his No.7 on Merseyside.
If the Toffees can get Richarlison to replicate his international form at Goodison Park, him and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could become one of the most feared duos in England.
Hopefully, Benitez can unlock Richarlison’s potential – as we can see for Brazil, there is clearly a world class forward in there somewhere.
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