Rio de Janeiro had been preparing for the possibility of a high-profile homecoming: Richarlison came close to joining Vasco da Gama, a move that would have returned the Brazilian forward to his country’s club game.
The proposed transfer did not go through, leaving Vasco without the Tottenham Hotspur attacker and Richarlison without the anticipated return to Brazilian football.
Had the deal been completed, the forward would also have been in line to face Boca Juniors, known across South America as Xeneize.
