Tottenham Hotspur’s difficult season is now starting to have consequences beyond north London, with Richarlison’s situation for Brazil becoming a talking point ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The striker has long been a trusted option for Carlo Ancelotti. Their relationship dates back to their time together at Everton, when the Italian quickly leaned on Richarlison as a key attacking figure.
That connection carried into the Brazil setup, where the Tottenham forward continued to receive opportunities even during inconsistent periods at club level.
Across Ancelotti’s first four call-ups, Richarlison remained involved. He featured in six matches, including two starts, despite not scoring.
Even when his minutes at Tottenham fluctuated, the Brazilian coach continued to value his profile – physical presence, aerial ability and work rate – as something different within the squad.
Tottenham struggles starting to weigh in
Tottenham’s season has been nothing short of turbulent. The club are enduring a poor run of results, struggling for consistency and hovering uncomfortably close to the relegation zone.
In Europe, things have not gone much better. Spurs suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat to Atlético Madrid, effectively ending their Champions League hopes despite the formalities of a second leg still to come.
Within that environment, Richarlison has been trying to rebuild momentum after another injury setback. The Brazilian missed several weeks with a thigh problem between January and February.
Since returning under Igor Tudor, he has featured in five matches. During that spell, he has scored twice – including a decisive goal against Liverpool – and added an assist. While he has not transformed Tottenham’s collective form, he has at least provided signs of individual sharpness.
There is also growing clarity around his club future. As we recently covered, Tottenham and Richarlison have already agreed he will leave at the end of the season.
The decision is said to have followed internal conversations, with both sides viewing June 2026 as the right moment to move on. There is no pressure involved, but rather a shared understanding about what comes next in his career.
Tottenham have also set a valuation ahead of the summer window. The club are expected to demand around £21.5m (€25m) for the striker, a figure that will guide negotiations.
Ancelotti and Richarlison: trust built over time
Richarlison’s importance to Brazil is not built on numbers alone. He was the team’s leading striker at the 2022 World Cup, scoring three goals and establishing himself as a reference point in attack.
Since then, even through injuries and irregular club form, he has largely maintained Ancelotti’s backing. The Italian has often shown a willingness to prioritise familiarity and tactical fit over pure club performance, especially in transitional periods.
That context helps explain why his absence this week in the list to Brazil’s last international friendles before the 2026 World Cup stands out.
Brazil decision confirmed
The news is, as highlighted by Bolavip in Brazil, for the first time under Ancelotti, Richarlison has been left out of a squad despite being fit and available.
The report points out that his absence says more about Tottenham’s current situation than about the player himself. With Spurs struggling badly, the broader context appears to have influenced the decision.
That marks a clear shift. Previously, Richarlison had remained part of the squad even without strong club momentum. Now, with increased competition for the No.9 role and the World Cup approaching, the margin for error is smaller.
What happens next
Richarlison now enters a decisive period. With the World Cup on the horizon, every performance carries extra weight.
Tottenham’s struggles may be complicating his case, but the Brazilian has at least started to show signs of life since returning from injury. If he continues to contribute goals and assists, he could still force his way back into Ancelotti’s plans.
However, for the first time, there is a clear signal that past trust alone may no longer be enough.