Interview: Everton’s Richarlison
Richarlison’s stunner against Manchester United was surely the highlight of his debut season at Everton. Now, having made Goodison Park feel like home, all he needs to do is try some toffee...
On Brazil, Neymar and pigeons
It was one of those goals so breathtakingly spectacular, it could symbolise a career. A goal that has kids and amateurs trying to replicate it. A goal that thrills the Everton fan and impresses the neutral. The kind of strike that means, when Toffees fans look back at this period 10 years down the line, they’ll see Richarlison upside down, left leg pointing purposely into the sky, and the ball flying unexpectedly into David de Gea’s net. Everton’s league match against Manchester United in April was only 13 minutes old when
Richarlison raised the roof at Goodison Park. French full-back Lucas Digne hurled a long throw towards the Red Devils’ penalty area and Dominic Calvert-lewin nodded the ball towards the far post, where the Brazilian forward was lurking.
With Diogo Dalot stooping to head clear, Everton’s No.30 had seconds to react. Not enough time to bring the ball down, nor in a position to head it with any force. So he went for it. In one instantaneous motion, he shifted his bodyweight, whipped his left boot up over his head, and blasted the ball high into the net.
Dalot could only look on, stunned that he hadn’t got to the ball first. Richarlison was so overjoyed, he couldn’t even muster the composure to do his trademark pigeon dance celebration. It clearly meant a lot.
“Football is everything in my life,” beams the 22-year-old, chatting to Fourfourtwo at the end of his first season at Goodison Park following a £50 million move from Watford last summer. “I treat my job as an opportunity presented to me by God, because that’s how he stopped me from going down the wrong path. I owe everything my family and I have to football.”
It’s easy to see why he’s so thankful for the escape route the game has offered him. When we last met, he told FFT he was once threatened by an armed drugs dealer in his youth.
Such trauma is always likely to bring a young man much clarity and perspective, and since then Richarlison has made a concerted effort to do good by those he’s left behind by arranging annual charity games in his hometown of Nova Venecia.
“It’s not a lot of money,” he admits, “but I know from my experience that even small amounts can help people.”
It’s not often a call from FFT distracts a Premier League player from doing his homework, but Everton’s Samba superstar is determined to communicate better with his Toffees team-mates – and understand some of Jordan Pickford’s gags.
“I was doing my English exercises before we started the interview,” laughs the Brazilian, adding that he still struggles to understand the Mackem madman in goal for the Merseysiders.
“Pickford is a nice guy,” says Richarlison. “He’s always joking around. But when it comes to the accent, I have to admit I struggle. For me, all my English team-mates have a difficult accent, but I’ll get there.”
Anyone who saw that iconic strike against Man United will attest that, as far as English football is concerned, he’s already more than fluent...
What are your first memories of football? I remember watching the 2002 World Cup, and also watching my dad and uncle playing for local teams in my hometown. But do you know how it all began for me? When I chose to leave my tiny city in Espirito Santos and go for a trial in Belo Horizonte, I only had enough money for a one-way ticket. I went for a trial at America Mineiro, but had to spend the money I had for the return ticket on food and drink during my stay. I had no option. I had to impress them, so it was a must-win situation. And look at me now, I’m playing for the Selecao!
When you last spoke to FFT in early 2018, you were confident you could win a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad. Were you frustrated to miss out in the end? I thought I could really help Brazil at the World Cup in Russia, but it didn’t happen, and in football you move on quickly. I was sad when I saw the final list, no doubt about that, but I believe the right thing will happen in its own time.
After the World Cup, I got my first chance to play for Brazil against the USA, and I’ve been picked in every squad since. That tells you it’s better to keep working hard rather than just being frustrated. All my hard work is now paying off. Playing for Brazil is a dream come true.
How did it feel to be called up to the Brazil squad for the first time last September? Was it strange to suddenly be playing with guys you’d looked up to for so long? I remember I was playing video games in my bedroom. I had just come back from training with Everton when my phone rang. It was Edu [the former Arsenal midfielder and current general coordinator of the Brazilian national team]. I was shocked, and it took a few seconds for it all to register. I sat perfectly still for a good few seconds after we’d finished talking. I couldn’t believe it, and eventually it hit me. Then when it came to actually going out there and making my debut, I obviously had butterflies in my stomach. We were playing the USA and I was on the bench. I just wanted to get on the pitch as soon as possible. When the coach, Tite, put me on for the last 15 minutes [replacing Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino], I tried to do my best. You kind of forget all your anxiety as soon as you walk on the pitch. All you want to do is play football and help your team-mates win the game. On the pitch, your focus must be stronger than your feelings. It was funny, I was looking at guys like Neymar [left] and Philippe Coutinho and thinking, ‘The other day I was playing as them on a video game’. It’s surreal to suddenly be sharing a dressing room with them, but you quickly realise they’re all just normal, good people. Everyone welcomed me into the squad warmly.
“I OFTEN WATCH VIDEOS OF NEYMAR’S GOALS On YOUTUBE, AND I FOUND MYSELF WATCHING THEM On THE BRAZIL BUS TO A GAME WHILE HE WAS A COUPLE OF SEATS In FRONT OF ME!”
What’s Neymar like to be around? He’s an outstanding person both on and off the pitch. It’s impressive for a guy of his stature, someone who has achieved as much as he has, to have so much humility and show so much warmth to all the newcomers. He just wants everyone to feel comfortable, like they’re part of the group. We’ve kept in touch throughout the season and talk every now and again.
It’s funny, as I’ll often watch videos of his goals on Youtube, and I found myself watching them on the Selecao bus going to a game while he was sitting a couple of seats in front of me! [Laughs] I used to copy his Mohawk haircut. The only problem was that my mohawk wouldn’t stay in place – it kept flopping over. And now Neymar joins me in my pigeon dance celebration – isn’t it unbelievable?
You kicked off your Watford career with five goals in your first 12 league games, but then failed to score again for the remainder of the campaign. What changed? The intensity of the Premier League is a different level to anything else. In England, there’s no such thing as taking a breath during a game – it’s all about running and running. This style suits me perfectly and I believe my characteristics are a good fit for English football, but it takes time to adapt.
I’d played at the South American Under-20 Championship in Ecuador the summer before, too, so I didn’t get much of a rest before the 2017-18 season. I arrived in England just as the Premier League was about to start. I basically didn’t stop playing from early 2016, when I signed for Fluminense, until May 2018. Eventually your legs don’t respond in the way you want them to, and as a consequence your performance level will drop down. What tempted you to join Everton? The club’s ambition. It’s a club with a lot of tradition and they want to be fighting for trophies once again. I was really excited to be part of it. I didn’t understand the scale of their history until I’d arrived here. The importance of this club for the city and its fans is huge. Furthermore, Marco Silva made a big effort to bring me from Watford, and that was crucial for my arrival. I’m so grateful to Marco for what he’s done for my career so far.
Presumably you have a good relationship with Marco Silva? Has it been difficult for you to read or hear criticism of him this season? He’s a top manager. I really admire his vision of the game and how he explains it to the squad. It’s easy to understand what he wants from us and he has a very honest approach with everyone, so that makes a big difference.
It was difficult to hear criticism of him. I was upset by that. After all, when things aren’t going well it’s rarely the fault of just the manager – the players also have responsibility, but that’s football. I think we’ve moved past that crisis and improved throughout the season.
Was there more pressure on your shoulders knowing you had cost the club £50m? I didn’t really think about that. I left it for the fans, media and club to make their own analysis. I remember hearing one ex-player say that my fee would ruin the transfer market, which wasn’t very nice to hear. There were a few other negative comments, but I just chose to ignore them. The transfer fee was agreed between the two clubs and both agreed it was a fair price, so that was that and life moves on. I had to focus on training, playing well, and giving my best to help the team win games and trophies. I had to represent my club properly on and off the pitch. That was my responsibility and always will be. Whether my club has paid £1 to sign me or £200m, I’ll always give absolutely everything for them.
You hit the ground running with two goals on your Toffees debut at Wolves. How important was it for you to prove yourself to the fans straight away? It’s normal to be nervous on your debut, isn’t it? I try to be focused on my duties from the first whistle, but it’s definitely helpful to start with a good performance and scoring some goals. You get people on your side straight away, as well as taking a bit of weight off your shoulders.
However, in only your third Everton appearance, you got sent off at Bournemouth after headbutting full-back Adam Smith... That was a mistake, I know, but the player provoked that reaction. He tried to tease me and I gave him what he wanted. It was still the first half and I left my team with 10 men. Then I was suspended for three matches, so I couldn’t play for Everton again for a month due to the international break. There’s nothing worse for a player than not being able to play football. It wasn’t an easy period for me. You always try to learn from difficult situations like this, but I had to learn from it in the hardest way possible.
You’ve scored more regularly in the Premier League with Everton this season than you did for Watford in 2017-18 – why is that? I think the main reason was having the right amount of time to rest after three years without having proper holidays and then a good pre-season. I had more time to prepare myself at Everton and I established a quick understanding with my new team-mates. The squad is full of quality players with international experience who have played for some big clubs. The youngsters here are also very talented.
You’ve played in a few different positions this season – which is your favourite? I prefer to play upfront as a striker, as close to the goal as possible, because that was my original position
when I was younger. I have no problem playing on the wing – I like to use my pace to beat defenders in one-on-one situations. I’ve always tried to do that. The most important thing is being on the pitch in the first place, though.
What were you thinking when your former Watford team-mate Troy Deeney said he would ‘smash’ you when Everton hosted the Hornets in December? Was he serious? [Laughs] No way was he serious – Troy is a really good friend of mine. He was just defending his own team, so he tried to be funny and also provoke us a little bit – it’s normal. He was only joking. We have a good relationship and I still like everyone at Watford.
Before the game against them, I went into their changing room to hug all my friends. It’s a weird feeling to play against your former club. It’s so strange to face the guys that used to be your team-mates and play against people that supported you passionately. Sure, the same fans tried to provoke me when I went back to Vicarage Road, but it’s normal because I was now an opponent. I have a lot of affection for Watford – I’m honestly grateful for what they’ve done for my career.
How does the Merseyside derby compare to big derbies in Brazil? It was an incredible experience and reminds me of the one between Flamengo and Fluminense. The people in the city basically don’t talk about any other subject all week!
Were you happy with the 0-0 draw at Goodison Park, considering Liverpool were fighting for the league title? Winning such a massive match is not only important for going up the table, but it’s also the best way of getting a confidence boost. We lost the derby at Anfield in a tough way in the first half of the season, and that goal in the last second [from Divock Origi] was hard to take.
I wasn’t thinking about denying them points in the title race. I only care about helping Everton win games, no matter who we’re playing.
The Toffees beat Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United at home but it’s generally been a disappointing campaign. I agree. I think we have the potential to deliver more and we proved it in those better moments. But I also think we’re improving and played much better football in the second half of the season. We have quality players and I’m confident looking ahead to next year.
What’s it like hearing clubs like Milan, Barcelona and Manchester United are supposedly watching you? It’s a nice feeling when you get praise for your good work, but I’m not thinking about a transfer at the moment. I’ve just arrived at Everton. I’m happy here.
Finally, have you ever eaten toffee? Toffee? No, I haven’t tried it yet. I’ll do it soon, I promise!
“THE MERSEYSIDE DERBY WAS An INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE – PEOPLE In THE CITY BASICALLY DON’T TALK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE ALL WEEK!”