Who still looks down on Richardson?

Richarlison exploded with a brace for Tottenham Hotspur in the opening round of the Premier League and celebrated in a special way: dressing up as Ronaldo "The Phenomenon" from 2002.

The opening round of the 2025/26 Premier League on August 16th saw Richarlison shine in a Tottenham shirt.

The opening round of the 2025/26 Premier League on August 16th saw Richarlison shine in a Tottenham shirt. In front of his home crowd, the Brazilian striker scored a brace, helping Spurs start the season with a sweet 3-0 victory over Burnley.

But what sparked more discussion among fans than the goal itself was Richarlison's chosen celebration: he posted a photoshopped image of his face superimposed onto the body of Ronaldo "Fenomeno" in his yellow and green jersey from 2002, with the cryptic caption: "So, less than a year until the World Cup, right?".

From tattoos to living symbols

Behind that gesture was more than just the momentary excitement after scoring two goals. It reflected Richarlison's ambition, as well as his belief that he deserves to continue being Brazil's number one striker under Carlo Ancelotti.

With both Neymar and Vinicius Jr. being established icons, the "number 9" position remains vacant. And Richarlison is striving to fill that void himself.

Richarlison's love for Ronaldo "The Alien" is not a recent phenomenon. On his thigh, he has a tattoo of himself standing next to Ronaldo and Neymar – two stars he considers his greatest inspirations throughout his career.

For Richarlison, Ronaldo is not just an idol, but the benchmark for all Brazilian strikers. It's the goal-scoring instinct, the composure in big matches, and the explosive ability that has earned the admiration of the whole world .

And in that volley against Burnley, fans had reason to draw parallels to Richarlison's spectacular strike against Serbia at the 2022 World Cup – a goal so beautiful it became iconic. Two shots, two moments that evoke the memory that the 28-year-old striker could, even if only briefly, reach Ronaldo's level.

Without Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, Tottenham Hotspurs still have Richarlison.

The problem is, in the Brazilian national team, the competition has never been less fierce. Coach Carlo Ancelotti experienced his first two matches in charge of the Selecao: Richarlison started in his debut and only came on as a substitute in the second. Clearly, his position is no longer "defaulted" as it was under Tite. When Ancelotti takes charge, every position is put to the test in terms of tactics and performance.

On August 25th, the next squad list will be announced. Brazil's next two World Cup qualifying matches are against Chile at the Maracana and Bolivia away from home.

For a pragmatic coach like Ancelotti, consistency is the top priority. That's also why Richarlison needs impressive performances at club level to send a convincing message: he's not just a lucky striker in big tournaments, but a reliable option for the long term.

The aspiration to continue the tradition of number 9.

Brazil has always prided itself on its legendary "number 9s": from Romario, Ronaldo, Adriano, to later generations like Fred and Gabriel Jesus. But since Ronaldo's golden age, no one has truly replicated the image of a complete center forward.

Richarlison doesn't possess exceptional technique, nor the explosive speed of Vinicius. His strengths lie in his fighting spirit, tenacity, and ability to seize opportunities.

For the Spurs striker, last night in London was nothing short of a rebirth. Having been plagued by injuries, scoring only four Premier League goals last season, and facing skepticism about his £60 million price tag, the Brazilian forward responded with a brilliant performance.

The opening goal showcased his goal-scoring instinct, the spectacular overhead kick confirmed his audacity, and his involvement in the 3-0 finale demonstrated his integration into the team's collective play. When he left the field in the 71st minute, he received a prolonged round of applause – something not every Spurs striker gets.

It's worth noting that Tottenham Spurs manager Thomas Frank didn't simply focus on goals. He emphasized Richarlison's all-around abilities: his ball retention, link-up play, pressing, and leadership spirit.

Former England striker Alan Shearer called the second goal "a super difficult feat," while Dion Dublin suggested the player just needed his "ego soothed" to reach his full potential. Perhaps Frank – known for his excellent personnel management skills – will know how to transform Richarlison into a consistent attacking force, not just a fleeting moment of brilliance.

For Richarlison, the social media post with the image superimposed onto Ronaldo in 2002 was more than just a joke. It was a message: he wanted to be seen as the successor to the number 9 position in his World Cup dream. With less than a year to go, the biggest tournament on the planet will begin, and every game, every goal from now until then will decide who will be entrusted with leading the Selecão's attack.

Richarlison has spoken his mind in the way he knows best: with goals and with audacity. And if he continues this form, Ancelotti will likely find it hard to ignore a striker who is eager to prove that he deserves to wear Brazil's legendary number 9 shirt.

Source: https://znews.vn/con-ai-coi-thuong-richarlison-post1577678.html