Richarlison Enters the Style World with TUMI Collaboration

The Brazilian footballer tells us all about the World Cup, his personal style, and his new TUMI campaign.

For soccer fans across the globe, one mononym is conquering the conversation: Richarlison. Having set the top goal count at the 2020 Summer Olympics, leading the Brazilian soccer team to victory, Richarlison emerged as a rising star. Then, in the 2022 World Cup, he pulled headlines for his now-infamous scissor kick in Brazil’s opening win over Serbia. Needless to say, Richarlison has made a name for himself on sheer talent alone. 

Now, Richarlison is entering the style world. Dipping his toe in with Calvin Klein’s “Calvins or Nothing” campaign, he embarked on his first photo campaign just months ago. Now, in partnership with TUMI, the pro-athlete is stepping into the travel and lifestyle face. Expertly directed by Todd Tourso, Richarlison leads the TUMI “Unpack Tomorrow” campaign with actress Renée Rapp and McLaren Formula 1 driver Lando Norris. 

Image courtesy of TUMI

Ahead of the campaign drop, VMAN had the chance to catch up with Richarlison about all things soccer and style. A native Portuguese speaker, the Q&A serves as one of the few translated interviews Richarlison has offered. 

Check out the full Q&A Below: 

Image courtesy of TUMI

VMAN: It’s incredible to read about your athletic journey, going from humble beginnings and rejections to now standing as an internationally renowned footballer. What’s it like to look back on those early days?

Richarlison: Looking back, I feel proud about what I have achieved already. My journey was not as easy as it seems to be. I have failed many times; I was not approved of doing tests in academies in Brazil and I thought about giving up. However, I believe that the difficulties and obstacles I have faced during my journey was a learning experience and I know that all of this helps me to be where I am today.

VMAN: I (like many) first started following you during your meteoric rise in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Brazil took gold that year, with you finishing off as the top scorer. How would you define your Olympics experience?

R: It was a dream I always wanted to fulfil. For years, winning the Olympic Gold Medal was like an obsession in Brazil since it was the only football title missed. In Rio in 2016, we won the first Gold Medal and to stay at the top of the podium is sometimes harder in high-level competitions. So, when I was called by André Jardine (the coach) who asked me if I would accept the challenge, I spent all day negotiating the permission with Everton (which I will be always grateful), explaining to them my dream and that it could be my last chance and as soon as they allowed me to go, I asked the number 10. In the end, it was unforgettable, and we reached the glory of the Olympic Gold Medal.

VMAN: This year was your first FIFA World Cup, joining the Brazilian national team and travelling all the way to Qatar. Is there anything specific that you learned throughout the process?

R: I have learned a lot. It is the major football event on the globe; the audience reaches all corners of the world, and everything gets amplified for better and for worse. Moreover, it is a short-term competition, and everything is unpredictable, and changes happen all the time. Favoritism appears and disappears in hours, depending on injuries, red cards or even if a group performs well or not in a single match. The tournament happens once in 4 years and sometimes it is a chance of a lifetime. That’s why I think this competition is so special.

Image courtesy of TUMI

VMAN: Leaving this year’s World Cup, you had some standout moments (namely that incredible scissor kick in your opening win against Serbia). Your name is everywhere. What does it feel like to amass this kind of fame? 

R: I am still assimilating everything. Of course, our defeat against Croatia still hurts me. On the other hand, I experienced special moments during the competition. I remember journalists and friends asking me after Serbia’s match if I had realized what had happened and it took me 3 to 4 days to understand it and I still learn from it. There were more than 4 billion people around the globe watching the FIFA World Cup, but I didn’t think the impact could be as big as it was. The picture of the goal was published in top newspapers and magazines all over the world; journalists and fans started to read my trajectory, my background, my positioning, and the followers in my social media tripled. To be frank, I still cannot get used to this!

VMAN: Now, after gaining a cult-like following and a whopping 20 million Instagram followers, you’ve expanded into the fashion/lifestyle space. Why this move? What inspires you about the space?

R: This is something that started before it. I have my own style, but if I may say so myself, I have good taste and I love comfort. So, it is an opportunity to share with fans and people in general my style and brands that I love.

Image courtesy of TUMI

VMAN: As the newest face for TUMI, you’ve been immediately immersed in the travel/lifestyle world. What excited you about this partnership?

R: TUMI is a brand with great taste and quality, so when the opportunity appeared, I had no doubt in joining the campaign. As a footballer, I travel all year — sometimes, to play in the Premier League or Champions League, I travel short distance and others for other, like the National Team, for example, I travel long distances. I love going on holiday and getting to know all the corners of my beautiful country. There are times when all I need is a backpack for my personal belongings, such as tablet, earphones, and necessities, but for long distance trips, a good luggage is a must-have. TUMI is perfect on both sides, boasting premium style. Just perfect.

VMAN: Your photo campaign with TUMI is quite striking. Along with your Calvin Klein campaign, it seems like you’re starting to make a name for yourself in the modeling space. What draws you to modeling?

R: I loved both. The production teams helped me to get comfortable and I was super happy with the results. TUMI’s production was amazing. I felt like a Hollywood star which was a great experience. Calvin Klein’s campaign was quite a challenge since it was the first time I took pictures in underwear. I believe that this experience, one that I would love to repeat in the future, opens the door for more professional opportunities and is always a learning process. I love to see my pictures in London, New York, Amsterdam, and flagship stores of such brands and at airports stores all over the world. It is an honor for someone that grew up in a small countryside city in Brazil.

VMAN: What’s next in the cards for your career? How about your personal life?

R: I have always left everything behind to reach my goals. I left my family, friends and my hometown early. It was hard, but the goal was to play at the highest level and Premier League is where one should be. A new country, different weather, food, language, culture was not a worry because I love new challenges. These challenges took me to Champions League and FIFA World Cup. My goals are to win the Premier League and Champions League trophies and go to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the Brazil National Team. Moreover, I have some projects in Brazil that I want to improve even more supporting kids and their education and the ones that face cancer.

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