Napoli defender Henrique has been praised by his agent Marquinhos Malachi following the Brazilian’s World Cup selection.
The 27-year-old’s inclusion in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s 23-man World Cup squad on Wednesday was the biggest surprise but the player’s representative has hailed the defender.
“Scolari’s been criticised for a lack of glamour,” Marquinhos Malachi told ESPN Radio.
“But Henrique was signed by Barcelona – the best team in the world.
“He didn’t play because of the coach and then went out on loan to Bayer Leverkusen, where he was one of the best.
“When he came back he had no chance of getting in the team, and then went to Racing Santander. And what happened? He was their best defender.”
Football Italia published Malachi’s quotes and he feels his client is just as good as the likes of Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Marcelo – other defenders in Scolari’s final 23.
Malachi said: “I think he’s as good as the rest of the defenders in the squad. There’s a reason he’s liked by Scolari and Benitez.”
Henrique has certainly enjoyed a fantastic start to life in Naples and will hope to cap a brilliant couple of months by appearing in this summer’s World Cup.
