Richarlison
Bilbao, Spain: 05 17 2025: Richarlison seen during UEFA Europa League 2025 final game between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Manchester United FC
Everton favourite Richarlison has opened up on his time at the club, and why he thinks Everton fans ended up loving him as they do.
The Brazilian has been speaking to L’Equipe about his career to date, including his time at Goodison Park, overtures from Paris Saint-Germain and his love for Neymar.
Everton move changed everything
Richarlison originally move to England in 2017, joining Watford in a €12.4m deal from Fluminense in his native Brazil.
He went on to score five goals and four assists in 41 games for the Hornets. All of those contributions, though, came before the end of December that season. From December 12th, he failed to register a goal or assist until the end of the season.
That didn’t stop Everton paying €39.2m for him the following summer, though. The Brazilian forward was a direct request for manager Marco Silva, who had also moved to Merseyside that summer.
Richarlison went on to be a key player under him and his successor, with 53 goals and 15 assists in 152 games for the Toffees. He remains a firm fan favourite to this day. And the Brazilian thinks that’s because of the dedication he often showed.
“I scored some nice goals (at Fluminense) and then I was supposed to sign for Ajax,” he explained.
“But Watford pushed hard for me. I knew nothing about that club. The coach (Marco Silva) called me and, in the team, there was (Heurelho) Gomes.
“The adjustment was very difficult. When winter arrived, it was awful. I couldn’t play; my hands and ears were freezing… I wanted to go back to Brazil. And then Marco Silva signed for Everton and asked to sign me. That’s when I took off and became a bit of an idol, because the fans felt that I was giving my all for the club.”
Crystal Palace heroics
Richarlison eventually left for Tottenham in 2022, with Spurs paying €58m to secure his signature. That exit came after he had played his part in keeping Everton up, though.
Everton eventually finished 16th that season, four points from the drop after battling relegation for much of the campaign.
Richarlison was key to the survival, establishing himself as the driving heart of the team despite a persistent thigh injury, which he battled through.
One famous moment saw him beating the ground in celebration in front of delirious Everton fans after the Blues secured a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace to secure their Premier League status. He know explains why it was an unforgettable moment for him.
“The last season (2021-2022), I was exhausted. After the Olympics and the qualifiers, I hadn’t had a vacation. We were in the relegation zone, so I watched what I ate, and we absolutely crushed it,” he added. I
“I became a bit of a leader; we beat Chelsea and Manchester United. Before my last match, I felt a thigh injury, but I was ready to do anything to play: anti-inflammatories, ice, injections.
“We were losing 2-0 against Crystal Palace. We ended up winning 3-2, and I collapsed to the ground. I broke down; I couldn’t feel my body anymore. I was unable to celebrate staying up. An unforgettable moment.”
PSG transfer attempts
Before his move to Tottenham, reports regularly linked Richarlison with a move away from Everton. Paris Saint-Germain were often named as potential suitors.
They had Neymar at the time, who worked with the Everton forward in the Brazilian national team. Everton, at one point, put a €75m asking price on their man as PSG eyed him to replace Kylian Mbappe.
Richarlison now confirms that talks took place, and often. In fact, his agent even travelled to Paris at one point.
“I had several contacts with PSG,” he concluded.
“Every time Mbappé was about to leave, they (the Parisian management) approached me. Once, my agent even went to their offices in Paris to talk.
“I wanted to go; we talked about it together with Neymar during the Seleção gatherings. It didn’t work out, unfortunately, which is a shame.”
Everton legacy
Ultimately, Richarlison’s legacy at Everton goes far beyond statistics. While they’re good on their own, there’s more to it than that.
The Brazilian was one of Everton hardest working, most dedicated players during a turbulent period when talent alone was not enough.
From battling the English winter to dragging his side away from relegation, he embodied the fight that Everton supporters demand from their team. That is why, long after his departure, he’s still fondly remembered.