In football history, a number of players have managed to gain the admiration of their bitter rivals through sheer skill and ability.
For example, Ronaldinho received a standing ovation from the home crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu after he helped Barcelona to defeat Real Madrid in 2005, just like Diego Maradona did in 1983.
The Brazil-Argentina rivalry is one of the most intense in international football, but it did not stop Richarlison from describing Lionel Messi as the best player he has ever seen.
When Richarlison Attested to Lionel Messi's Greatness
Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison appeared in an interview with ESPN shortly after playing for Brazil in the 2021 Copa America.
The Seleção lost the final to a lone goal from Argentina and Messi was the star of the tournament, winning the Golden Boot and Golden Ball.
Messi did not score in the game against Brazil, but he certainly left a huge impression on Richarlison, who sang his praises for long after the game.
"The best player in the world is Lionel Messi. He’s the best I’ve ever seen play. He’s from another planet. For me, it was a privilege to play against him. I have his jersey," he said (via TN).
The summer of 2021 marked the beginning of a period of change in the story of Messi's international career, which had been characterised by heartbreak and near-misses for 15 years.
He got his first taste of international success at Brazil's expense at the Maracanã, making the triumph significantly more impressive to Argentinians and marking the birth of the winning machine that effectively sealed Messi's standing as the Greatest of All-Time.
Richarlison's Comments Showed Grace Across the Superclásico Rivalry
Brazil's rivalry with Argentina is very well-documented, with both giants constantly battling for dominance in the South American football corridor.
The rivalry extends to clubs from both countries when they meet in continental competition, but the Copa America final at the Maracanã in 2021 showed a different side to the rivalry, one of pure admiration.
Despite experiencing immense grief after Brazil's 1–0 defeat to Argentina, Richarlison displayed exemplary grace in defeat by crowning rival star Messi as the best player he has seen.
After the game, Neymar also shared a moment with Argentina's captain despite his own sadness at losing on home soil, sharing in the global relief of having seen Messi finally win silverware with his country.
The scenes from after the game and Richarlison's comments showed that generational greatness earns universal reverence even across football's most bitter international divides.
