Everton forward Richarlison has commented publicly on being on the receiving end of a lunging stamp from Edinson Cavani.
The 33-year-old Manchester United forward was sent off for his challenge which pummelled the talismanic Everton man’s ankle in Brazil’s 2-0 win over Uruguay in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Fortunately for Richarlison, he came off relatively unscathed from the challenge and managed to avoid any serious injury. He is fit and available to feature in the Toffees’ clash with London side Fulham on Sunday, having served a three-match ban for a red card of his own last month.
The 23-year-old doubled Brazil’s lead in the first half by rising highest to meet Renan Lodi’s cross before landing a header past Uruguay’s Martin Campana into the far post.
In quotes obtained by superesportes.com, Richarlison was honest as he condemned Cavani’s challenge, saying: “I think it was a fight for the ball, he went over the top.
“If my foot was stuck I might have broken my ankle, but I think it was not in badness, he tried to steal the ball and ended up missing [the ball].”
The referee went to the VAR monitor before making the decision to dismiss Cavani, having already booked the veteran Red Devils forward.
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It is understandable that Richarlison feels aggrieved by Cavani’s recklessness.
Another angle shows that, with more force, there could have been a serious injury for the Brazilian. Nonetheless, it was certainly a desperate act by Cavani which has no place in the beautiful game.
