After the 2022 World Cup, Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison caught attention with a striking tattoo tribute that featured Brazil teammate Neymar, among other football icons. The decision, however, invited some light-hearted mockery from pundit Micah Richards.
Richarlison, who joined Spurs for £60 million in 2022, delivered memorable performances in Qatar, scoring three goals in four matches, including a stunning brace against Serbia. Despite his personal success, Brazil’s campaign ended in heartbreak, with a penalty shootout loss to Croatia in the quarter-finals.
To commemorate his World Cup journey, the 27-year-old opted for a bold tattoo spanning his back. The artwork includes portraits of himself, Ronaldo Nazario, and Neymar, framed by the Brazilian flag. It also pays homage to Pelé and depicts a young boy in a Richarlison jersey gazing at the favelas while holding a football.
Neymar, who continues to play for Al-Hilal and is Brazil’s second-highest scorer with 79 goals, was a key figure in Richarlison’s tribute. Meanwhile, Ronaldo, a two-time World Cup champion and Ballon d’Or winner, remains a revered icon in football history.
Richarlison revealed the tattoo shortly after scoring a last-minute equalizer against Liverpool in 2023. Social media erupted with reactions, and Micah Richards added to the discussion during BBC Five Live’s The Monday Night Club. Chuckling at the design, Richards remarked, “It’s a bit ridiculous, isn’t it? R9 (Ronaldo) is a legend. Neymar is great, but why would you get him tattooed? It’s strange because Neymar is still playing. If it were retired legends, I’d understand, but Neymar is his teammate. It’s like me getting a tattoo of Daniel Sturridge. I love him, but I’m not doing that.”
Richards’ comment referred to his former Manchester City teammate, Sturridge, who later joined Chelsea in 2009.
Defending his tattoo, Richarlison explained in a GQ magazine interview, “Ronaldo was my hero when I started playing football. Neymar, being of my generation but a bit older, inspired me. I wanted to play like him and even copied his hairstyles. And I included myself because I’m my own inspiration too.”
However, Richarlison’s contributions for Brazil have since dwindled. His last goal for the national team came during the group stage against South Korea, and inconsistent form at Spurs has seen him receive fewer call-ups. His most recent appearance for Brazil was in March against Spain.
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