Rivaldo has slammed Brazil’s decision to hand AC Milan midfielder Lucas Paqueta the number 10 shirt during the nation’s 1-0 loss to Argentina on Friday.
With Neymar still sidelined through injury, the sacred jersey was handed to a 22-year-old Paqueta, who has only made 10 senior appearances for Brazil.
Rivaldo, one of many legendary Brazilians to have donned the number, believes such a young and inexperienced player shouldn’t have been allowed to wear the shirt so soon.
While not questioning Paqueta’s abilities, Rivaldo stressed a player the wearing the number 10 simply must demand a certain level of respect.
“I watched the match between Brazil v Argentina and was very sad to see what happened with the number 10 shirt,” Rivaldo wrote on Instagram.
“They gave the shirt to Paqueta against Argentina. A shirt that is respected worldwide. This shirt is not meant to be on the bench, let alone go off at half-time, because it is the shirt the world knows and respects because it was worn and honoured by Pele, Rivelino, Zico, Rivaldo, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Neymar.
“The player is not to blame, but the coaching staff is, because they know the weight of this shirt and also that it could burn the 22-year-old, who can have a great future with the Brazilian team.
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“Just as the coach wanted to protect Rodrygo, who is playing very well at Real Madrid, for this match, he could have protected Paqueta from playing with that shirt.
“We all know that Brazil and Argentina will never be a friendly match.”