Opinion – Marina Izidro: Richarlison encourages me to support Brazil in the World Cup

As soon as the Brazil squad for the World Cup was announced, a Welsh journalist friend sent me a message: “Not bad, huh! Good to see Gabriel Jesus, too bad for Roberto Firmino. They’ll be fine, as long as they don’t have to play against Wales!”

The joke was, in fact, for the respect that the Welsh have for our team. In 1958, when this friend of mine didn’t even dream of being born, Wales played a World Cup for the only and last time. They were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Brazil, with a goal from a 17-year-old named Pelé.

In Sweden, the Brazilian team won its first world title, and Wales had to wait 64 years to even qualify again. In 2022, they will! The Welsh love Gareth Bale, but I’m sure they’d love to have Gabriel Jesus and company on their team too, if they could.

In England, on the other hand, the World Cup atmosphere is gradually increasing. Pubs are putting up notices on the door that they are going to broadcast the games. Since the call-up of the England team on Thursday (10), sports channels have debated how far Gareth Southgate’s team can go.

The English are funny when they talk about their own team: there is a mix of traditional pessimism – they only won one World Cup, at home, in 1966 – with a little hope, as they were semi-finalists in Russia in 2018 and reached the Euro Cup final. last year.

England and Wales face each other in the group stage, and this is going to be a great game to watch around here (what won’t be nice is listening to the song “It’s Coming Home” every five minutes and taking a beer bath to each goal).

Pubs will certainly be full at the games in Brazil as well. The Brits have gotten used to seeing Brazilian players on Premier League pitches. Of the 26 called up, 12 play in the Premier League: Alisson and Fabinho at Liverpool, Ederson at Manchester City, Thiago Silva at Chelsea, Casemiro, Fred and Antony at United, Lucas Paquetá at West Ham, Bruno Guimarães at Newcastle, Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli at Arsenal, Richarlison at Tottenham.

Everyone deserves to be on the list, but I particularly highlight Richarlison. I’ve followed his career since I covered Fluminense games in Rio. When Richarlison moved to Watford, I was already living in England and I did a report showing that he was learning to drive (in English hands!) because he wanted to be independent to go to practice. He told me that he got to know Elton John – Watford’s honorary president – ​​and learn more about the Beatles when he moved to Liverpool to play for Everton.

He was always cheerful, humble. He is focused but in no way alienated. He usually takes a stand in important causes, which are unrelated to football, but which matter to people. He asked for oxygen to Manaus during the pandemic. He had the sensibility to offer condolences to the British on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

He always showed love in defending the Brazilian team. I cheered for him when I saw him crying because I was afraid that a recent injury would take him out of the Cup, and I was happy to know that it was not serious and to see him called up.

Richarlison, without a doubt and despite everything we’ve been through in recent months, is one of those who will make me cheer for Brazil in this World Cup.