The Copa América will start in just a few days and the CBF has already confirmed the official shirt numbers of the players called up by Dorival Júnior for the continental tournament in the United States.
In addition to some surprises and expected choices such as Rodrygo Goes with the 10 and Vinicius Jr. with the 7, Dorival Júnior’s trust in Endrick has been surprising, as he has been assigned the number 9 shirt for this continental tournament.
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Endrick, the latest heir to the Seleção’s number 9 shirt: Who wore it recently?
In Brazil’s most glorious days, the number 9 shirt has always belonged to the great goalscorers, the offensive leaders with a killer instinct. However, in recent years, the Seleção has been orphaned of a world-class player to wear this number in the best way, and Endrick has been the latest chosen to wear this shirt in an official tournament.
Do you remember the latest players who have worn it? Today at Sambafoot, we have taken the task of highlighting the players who have used this mythical number in the last decade (2010 to the present).
Richarlison
The last player to use Brazil’s number 9 shirt in an official tournament was Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison. This player was in charge of wearing this number during some CONMEBOL qualifying matches and also during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Richarlison with the Seleção
- Matches played: 48
- Goals: 20
- Assists: 8
- Titles: 2 (Copa América 2019 and Olympic Gold 2021)
Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus wore the number 9 shirt in three of the last four major tournaments Brazil has played in the last decade. The Arsenal player wore it at the 2018 World Cup, the 2019 Copa América, and the 2021 Copa América.
Gabriel Jesus with the Seleção
- Matches played: 64
- Goals: 19
- Assists: 13
- Titles: 2 (Copa América 2019 and Olympic Gold 2017)
Jonas
The legendary Benfica player, Jonas, was chosen to wear the heavy number 9 shirt during the 2016 Copa América. This insatiable striker had a short career with the Seleção and only managed to play a handful of matches after making his debut in 2011.
Jonas with the Seleção
- Matches played: 12
- Goals: 3
- Assists: 1
Diego Tardelli
During the 2015 Copa América, an atypical Brazilian national team was led in the offensive area by Diego Tardelli, who was in charge of wearing this number during the continental tournament. This player with an illustrious past at Atlético Mineiro barely managed to play a total of 14 matches with the national team.
Tardelli with the Seleção
- Matches played: 14
- Goals: 3
- Assists: 1
Fred
Between 2013 and 2014, Fred was the player designated to wear the number 9 shirt during the Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup, both tournaments held in Brazil. This striker is famously remembered for his good performance in the Confederations Cup final against Spain, but any achievement was overshadowed by the painful World Cup elimination against Germany.
Fred with the Seleção
- Matches played: 39
- Goals: 18
- Assists: 6
- Titles: 2 (Copa América 2007 and Confederations 2013)
Alexandre Pato
Alexandre Pato, the eternal promise of Brazilian football, wore the Seleção’s number 9 shirt during the 2011 Copa América in Argentina, being one of the two major tournaments he managed to play with the national team. He shone mainly in friendly matches and failed to deliver, as throughout his career, in the big events.
Alexandre Pato with the Seleção
- Matches played: 27
- Goals: 19
- Assists: 2
- Titles: 1 (Confederations 2009)
Luis Fabiano
To close, at the distant 2010 World Cup, Luis Fabiano was the striker in charge of leading the Seleção with goals. This lethal number 9, famously remembered for his time at Sevilla, played 45 matches with the Brazilian national team, managing to win a couple of titles along the way.
Luis Fabiano with the Seleção
- Matches played: 45
- Goals: 28
- Assists: 3
- Titles: 2 (Copa América 2003 and Confederations 2009)
