The Brazilian forward scored Tottenham’s equaliser in a 2-2 draw on Tuesday, turning in a cross from James Rowswell. He also converted his penalty in the shoot-out, although Cheltenham eventually prevailed 7-6.
It was a rare opportunity for Richarlison to play after being excluded from Roberto De Zerbi’s first-team squad. The striker has been left out of Tottenham’s Premier League plans, with his prospects of regular senior football limited until the January transfer window.
Richarlison started Spurs’ opening-day defeat against Brentford, but De Zerbi subsequently said the forward had “said too many times he wants to leave”.
A proposed return to Everton failed to materialise before the transfer deadline, while potential moves to Turkish club Trabzonspor and Brazilian side Vasco da Gama also came to nothing.
After scoring against Cheltenham, Richarlison made clear how much he had missed playing.
“Happy to do what I love most in life. I was missing it!” he wrote on social media.
Despite the circumstances surrounding his selection, Cheltenham manager Steve Cotterill praised the 29-year-old’s professionalism and attitude. Richarlison could easily have treated the fixture as an unwanted assignment, given his experience of playing in front of large Premier League crowds, but Cotterill said he showed no sign of doing so.
“I thought his attitude tonight was immaculate,” Cotterill said.
“I thought he was really, really good, his attitude was great. He could have easily come down here and thought I ain’t too bothered about tonight, he could have done that.
“He’s used to playing in front of 60,000 every week, his attitude tonight was absolutely first class and it was great for our lads to play against someone of his stature.”
Richarlison’s goal was a positive personal moment, but it does not resolve the uncertainty over his Tottenham future. With no move secured before the deadline and his first-team place unavailable, he faces a wait for another opportunity to play at senior level.