GOODISON and DANCE
Richarlison wants his viral goal-scoring pigeon jig to be a huge hit with Toffees
HE IS responsible for a dance craze back home... and now Richarlison is hoping the arrival of the “pigeon dance” in the Premier League will sweep him into the Brazil team.
The Samba star took the moves of a little known pop band in his native country and sent them viral when he used the dance as his signature goal-scoring celebration. So far, with just five goals in 41 Watford appearances, English audiences haven’t been treated to the phenomenon. But the £50million record Everton signing believes that will change at Goodison – with the help of a manager he calls the best in the world. Richarlison became famous for his Danca Do Pombo – taken from the title of a song by the band Os Perseguidores.
And he has promised Blues fans they will see it plenty of times as he looks for the goals that will win him Brazil caps.
“The pigeon dance came from a group from Rio de Janeiro, who had a song in around 2012. A trend was started when I did the dance at home. Everyone started copying me,” he explained.
“I think I’ve helped the band’s profile grow because of that. I am hoping to score goals and do the pigeon dance.
“I thank God I’m at Everton. I am aiming high. I want to achieve a lot here, make history here and make a name for myself.”
He was watched closely by Brazil manager Tite last season, but his poor form in the second half of the season – when new Everton boss Marco Silva was
sacked by Watford – meant his missed out on the World Cup.
But Richarlison reckons Silva is the man to help him.
“Without a doubt, he can help,” said the winger.
“If he’s not already one of the best coaches in the world, he will go on to become one.
“I think he will win titles with Everton and that will help me get in the Brazil team.
“Last season, Tite was watching me, so this season I hope to have a great season and to be called up to the national team.”
Richarlison knows his form must improve, but he insisted the dip wasn’t because Silva was sacked. “Unfortunately, there was a decline, but there wasn’t just a decline with me,” he explained.
“We got up to fourth place, but we had a small squad and that was reduced through injuries and there was a decline in the whole team.”
If the pigeon dance makes Richarlison look the party type, then there is a more serious side to him.
And that was evident when he organised a huge charity game in his hometown of Nova Venecia.
It is a tough area with drug problems and many of his friends from the favela have either ended up in prison or dead.
But he wanted to give something back and said: “I feel proud of what we achieved. The match ‘ticket price’ was one kilo of foodstuffs and we collected three tonnes and distributed it to those in need. We were able to help a lot of people.”