Richarlison: The Day Brazil star 'insulted' FIFA President Gianni Infantino ahead of World Cup 2022

Richarlison: The Day Brazil star 'insulted' FIFA President Gianni Infantino ahead of World Cup 2022

Martin Moses
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:18 PM
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  • Richarlison once called FIFA President Gianni Infantino a term that can be interpreted as offensive
  • The duo met after the final of the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo, which Richrlison's Brazil won
  • The Tottenham Hotspur striker promised Infantino they will meet again in Qatar for the World Cup

Brazil striker Richarlison is widely known for his combative nature on the pitch. He is always triggering rival fans with his antics that has seen him become loved and hated in equal measure.

More recently, as Brazil prepared for the World Cup in Qatar, he showed his comical side by ejecting Fred from Neymar's position during a photo-op. In a separate incident, he slapped Fabinho's bald head.

Richarlison, Brazil, World Cup 2022, Gianni Infantino
Richarlison jokes with his Brazil teammates during a training session on December 1st. Photo by Nelson Almeida.
Source: Getty Images

In a video that has resurfaced online, the striker made fun of FIFA's President Gianni Infantino when he met him at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Brazil had just won the gold medal after beating Spain. Richarlison had starred for his nation during the tournament despite missing a penalty in the final. Infantino was at hand at the International Stadium in Yokohama to hand out the gold medals.

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Richarlison's vow to Infantino

Wearing a mask, the then Everton striker is said to have called Infantino a baldie while promising him that he(Infantino) will repeat the process in 2022 once Brazil wins the World Cup.

"Next year, it'll be in Qatar, baldie"

Baldie is considered offensive

While admittedly, Infantino is bald, the term 'baldie' is often considered derogatory and offensive in other quarters. A British Court actually ruled that calling someone a baldie is sexual harassment. Richarlison did not mind taking aim at the most powerful man in world football.

Infantino is seen nodding to Richarlison. Whether he understood his sentiments or not is unknown.

Richarlison's World Cup form

Fast forward a year later, Richarlison made it to the final 26-man squad for Qatar. He started the campaign brilliantly with a brace against Serbia as Brazil ensured progression to the knockout stage with a game to spare.

He will be hellbent on delivering on his promise to Infantino, with Brazil one of the favourites to lift the trophy on December 18th.

At the same time, Sports Brief reported that Richarlison has sent out an indication that he will pursue popular Brazilian singer Anitta after he wins the World Cup.

Brazil have already qualified for the round of 16 after a blistering start in Qatar, which has seen them collect maximum points from their first two games.

But apart from winning a major title, the Tottenham Hotspur striker has set another target in his personal life. In an interview in 2021, the striker said that if he won the World Cup with Brazil, he would formally ask Anitta to go out with her.

Authors
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Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)