Brazilian World Cup winner Carlos Alberto praises Micah Richards: He reminds me of myself

Micah Richards,Manchester City(Getty Images)

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Carlos Alberto, widely regarded as one of the greatest right-backs to ever, believes Manchester City defender Micah Richards has a big future ahead of him for club and country.

The Brazilian, captained his country to victory in the 1970 World Cup and is a member of Pele’s exclusive top 125 greatest living footballers list, he won 53 caps for Brazil and enjoyed a career in America.

Alberto told Sky Sports: “He is only 22 and has the experience and knows what he wants and where he wants to go.

“He reminds me a little bit of myself. He can play with the ball well. I know his original position was midfield.

“He is still only 22, and he is incredible. Now he has five years of playing with league experience, but more importantly he has had experience of life off the pitch and grown.”

Alberto himself was a regular for the Brazilian national side when throughout his career and he expects Richards to become a regular of the England side in the near future.

“He plays in a top Premier League team,” added Alberto. “Not enough English players are playing at this level regularly. He, to me, holds the key to the hopes of England for this coming generation.

“To me, possibilities for him to become a captain of the English national team seem a very obvious path for such a player.

“He even went out of the national team and has not complained or made a noise. He is just concentrating on playing well for his club.”