Tottenham forward Richarlison has admitted he feels the weight of history bearing down on him playing for Brazil, as he looks to live up to the famous number nines who have preceded him.
The Brazilian has been speaking to Olympics.com for World Mental Health Day and discussing the pressures that come with playing for his country, particularly now he’s wearing the famous number nine shirt.
The Tottenham man has been his country’s number 9 since 2020/21, when he took up the shirt number after also wearing 21, 7, and 10 during his time in the Olympic Team.
It means he joins an exclusive and honoured list of players to wear the number for the Selecao, such as Diego Tardelli, Alexandre Pato, Gabriel Jesus, Adriano and of course, the most famous of all, Ronaldo.
The legendary striker managed 62 goals in 98 games for his country, as well as winning the World Cup in 1994 and 2002 and is arguably the iconic player to wear the number.
Talk now is that the Tottenham man is the new R9 for his country, or that is at least the hope, and he admits he can feel that pressure.
“I’m very proud to wear the number 9 shirt, especially during the World Cup,” he said.
“Now I know the weight that Ronaldo endured, and that of other great players who wore this number. Because when you are number 9, you are expected to score goals. You have to be prepared for it because the pressure is enormous.
“Every time you play, you have to give your best, you have to try to score, because it is a very heavy jersey, like the number 10 jersey.
“I want to be remembered as an idol, as someone who honoured the national team jersey. A person who stood out off the field, always willing to help people. I want to be an idol for the Brazilian fans.”
