Richarlison took to social media following his appearance for Tottenham Hotspur's Under-21s on Tuesday .
The Brazil international has been absent from Spurs' first team since August 22, after Roberto De Zerbi omitted him from his 25-man Premier League squad. Despite featuring prominently during preseason, the 29-year-old repeatedly requested to leave the club over the summer, according to De Zerbi, yet turned down moves to former club Everton and Vasco da Gama.
With Spurs restricted to naming just 17 non-homegrown players in their league-registered squad, Richarlison was excluded in favor of the club's new signings following an expenditure of more than £300 million ($396 million). Richarlison's representatives have been exploring avenues to terminate his contract with Tottenham, which runs until next summer, with the club holding an option to extend it by a further 12 months, but have yet to find a resolution, as per football.london .
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It came as a surprise to many, therefore, when Richarlison was named in the starting lineup for Tottenham's Under-21s on Tuesday as Wayne Burnett's side faced Cheltenham Town in the Jersey Mike's Trophy. The Brazilian, who has netted 20 goals for his country, took up a position on the left side of the young Spurs attack as a permitted overage player.
He left his mark after the interval as well, converting James Rowswell's delivery with a well-executed finish. Richarlison marked the moment alongside several young Spurs players, who joined in with his signature pigeon celebration.
Richarlison completed the entire 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw and also converted his spot-kick in the shootout that Tottenham dropped 7-6, giving Cheltenham the bonus point.
Following the game, Richarlison expressed his joy at returning to action on Instagram. He shared with his 21 million followers: "Happy to do what I love most in life. I was missing it!"
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Tottenham teammates Destiny Udogie, Mathys Tel and Junai Byfield were among those responding to the post. Chelsea forward João Pedro also left a pigeon and fire emoji, evidently expressing his thoughts on his fellow Brazilian.
While Richarlison would have certainly relished pulling on a Tottenham jersey again, his situation remains uncertain. He's ineligible for senior team selection until January at the earliest, when the club's registered Premier League roster can be modified, though his inclusion appears highly improbable regardless.
With the Tottenham first team departing for Marbella this week for a warm-weather training session ahead of Monday's match against Coventry City, there's a possibility Richarlison turns out for Tottenham Under-21s once more on Saturday, this time facing Leicester City U21s at Hotspur Way.
