Becoming a drug dealer would’ve been easier...
Richarlison’s rise from Brazilian backstreets to Goodison Park
BECOMING a drug dealer would have been a lot easier than becoming a footballer, according to Brazilian Richarlison.
Indeed, as a child growing up in Nova Venecia, he even had a gun stuck in his face. But now Everton’s new £40 million striker is trying to help inspire those heading for trouble.
“I definitely feel I can be a positive example,” he says. “This year I organised a charity football game in my hometown and we collected three tonnes of food for the people of the town. I would like to be a role model and continue to help those in need.”
Richarlison has often talked about his tough upbringing in Brazil and once admitted: “The majority of my friends went to sell drugs in the street because they saw easy money; a lot of money.
“But I knew it was wrong so I sold chocolate and ice cream and washed cars because I knew that was the right thing to do. And I could help my mother.”
Richarlison, 21, concentrated on his football, joining America Mineiro and then Fluminense before his move to the Premier League at the start of last season when he linked up with fellow Portuguese speaker Marco Silva at Watford in a £11.5m deal.
He hit the ground running too, scoring five goals in his first four months, but the goals and assists dried up after November as Watford slid down the table before manager Silva was sacked.
“Unfortunately there was a decline but there wasn’t just a decline with me,” says Richarlison. “Watford started the season brilliantly, we got up to fourth place, but we had a smaller squad and unfortunately that was reduced with injuries.
“There was some difficulty when Marco left but that was more to do with the language. It’s not an excuse, any decline in performance wasn’t to do with Marco leaving.
“I continued giving everything, putting my life on the line on the pitch and that is what I will continue doing going forward.”
Now the pair have reunited at Goodison Park and Richarlison believes he has teamed up again with a world-class manager in Silva. He is confident the pair can help push the club up the Premier League table and challenge for silverware.
“If he’s not already one of the best coaches in the world he will go on to become one,” Richarlison says of Silva. “He will win titles with Everton and maybe a national team in the future.”
Richarlison said he achieved a childhood dream of playing in the Premier League when he snubbed Ajax to join Watford.
Those dreams were forged when he watched Cristiano Ronaldo strut his stuff for Manchester United on TV with his father. Now his aim is to win trophies with Everton and force himself into the Brazil national squad.
“I think Watford did a good piece of business,” he says. “I’m aiming high. I want to achieve a lot, make history here and make a name for myself at Everton.”
His compatriot and Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus is helping him settle in the North. “I spoke to him recently because I needed to find a barber to have my haircut,” he says.
Richarlison showed he can get people following in his footsteps when he posted a video on social media doing a “pigeon dance” made by a band back home and his fans started copying him. So while Silva has bought him for his quick feet, he has other eye-catching moves in mind. “I’m hoping to score my first goal and do the dance I promised,” he says.
Everton fans will be just as happy if he gets their attack on song.