Richarlison (Part 2)

As the season progressed, Richarlison showcased his versatility by being deployed in the centre-forward role for Everton's game against Leicester City on October 6, 2018, where he scored in the 7th minute to contribute to a 2–1 away win. His goal-scoring prowess was evident four weeks later when he netted twice in a 3–1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.
By the end of the season, Richarlison emerged as Everton's joint-highest goalscorer in the Premier League, alongside Gylfi Sigurðsson, with both players notching 13 goals. In all competitions, both players tallied 14 goals, highlighting Richarlison's significant contribution to Everton's attacking prowess.


Ahead of the 2019–20 season, Richarlison was honored with the number 7 shirt, signifying his importance to the team. Once again, he finished the season as Everton's joint-highest goalscorer, this time sharing the accolade with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with both players scoring 13 goals in the Premier League and 15 goals in all competitions.
On December 3, 2019, Richarlison further cemented his commitment to Everton by signing a new five-year contract with the club. His impact and influence continued to grow, as evidenced by his crucial goal in a historic 2–0 away win over Liverpool at Anfield on February 20, 2021, marking Everton's first victory over their rivals on their home turf since September 1999.


On July 1, 2022, Tottenham Hotspur made headlines by announcing the acquisition of Richarlison, securing his services with a contract extending until 2027, pending the approval of a work permit. The transfer involved a significant fee of £50 million, with an additional £10 million in potential add-ons, underscoring Tottenham's investment in the talented forward.
Richarlison quickly made an impact for his new club, earning his first assist in a 2–0 victory against Nottingham Forest on August 20. However, his performance during this match sparked a debate in the media, with some criticizing his showboating as "disrespectful," while others, like Neil Warnock, praised his entertaining style and encouraged him to continue delighting fans.


The Brazilian forward showcased his scoring prowess on September 7, marking his Champions League debut for Tottenham with a memorable performance by netting both goals in a 2–0 triumph over Marseille at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. These goals not only opened his account for the club but also demonstrated his ability to deliver on the big stage.
Throughout the season, Richarlison faced challenges due to injuries, which hindered his consistency on the pitch. Moreover, his public complaints about his playing time and desire to regain his spot in the team drew criticism from manager Antonio Conte, who accused him of being selfish.
Despite the hurdles, Richarlison managed to break his goal drought in the Premier League on April 30, 2023, scoring against Liverpool in a 4–3 defeat. This solitary league goal marked his only contribution in terms of scoring during the 2022–23 Premier League season.


The 2023–24 Premier League season brought significant changes for Tottenham Hotspur, especially with the departure of Harry Kane, the club's record goal scorer. With Kane's exit, there was anticipation that Richarlison would step into the role of Tottenham's primary striker. However, despite the high expectations, Richarlison struggled to find the back of the net in the early matches of the season, extending his goal drought.
His goalless streak persisted even when representing the Brazil national football team in a World Cup qualifier against Bolivia, where he failed to score and was eventually substituted. Following these setbacks, Richarlison bravely opened up about his personal struggles, acknowledging his mental health issues and announcing his decision to seek professional help.


However, on September 16, Richarlison seized a pivotal moment to turn his fortunes around. Coming on as a substitute with Tottenham trailing Sheffield United by a goal in added time, he scored an equalizer and then provided an assist for the winning goal just two minutes later. This remarkable comeback secured Tottenham a historic victory, officially recorded as the latest-ever comeback win in Premier League history.
Unfortunately, Richarlison's season was marred by injuries, and on November 9, Tottenham confirmed that he underwent surgery on his groin. After a period of recovery, Richarlison made a triumphant return on December 10, starting for the first time since his surgery and scoring a brace against Newcastle United in a 4–1 victory.


Richarlison's resurgence continued as he found his scoring touch, netting nine goals in eight league matches between December 10, 2023, and February 3, 2024. This impressive run of form included a brace against his former club Everton in a thrilling 2–2 draw at Goodison Park, showcasing his undeniable talent and contribution to Tottenham's campaign. Richarlison's international career has been marked by significant achievements and impactful performances for the Brazil national team.
His journey with the senior team began in 2018 when he received his first call-up by coach Tite for friendlies against the United States and El Salvador. In his debut match against the United States, he came on as a substitute and helped secure a 2–0 victory. Just four days later, he showcased his scoring prowess by netting twice in a 5–0 win over El Salvador.


Richarlison continued to make his mark on the international stage, earning a spot in Brazil's squad for the 2019 Copa América. In the final against Peru, he came off the bench and sealed Brazil's victory with a goal from the penalty spot, cementing his place in the country's football history.His success with the national team persisted as he was named in the squad for the 2021 Copa América. Richarlison contributed to Brazil's campaign with a goal in a group stage win over Peru, helping the team reach the final as runners-up.
In addition to his exploits in Copa América tournaments, Richarlison also made a significant impact at the 2020 Summer Olympics. He made a memorable debut by scoring a hat-trick against Germany, ultimately finishing as the tournament's top scorer despite missing a penalty in the final against Spain.


Richarlison's journey with the Brazil national team reached new heights at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He played a crucial role in Brazil's campaign, scoring three goals in the tournament, including a memorable brace in the opening win against Serbia. Despite Brazil's elimination in the quarter-finals, Richarlison's performances earned him widespread praise and solidified his status as a key player for his country.
Richarlison's philanthropic efforts and advocacy for important social causes reflect his commitment to making a positive impact beyond the football pitch. His donations to the Instituto Padre Roberto Lettieri and support for families in his hometown demonstrate his dedication to helping those in need, particularly cancer patients and vulnerable communities.


His vocal support for COVID-19 vaccination and efforts to combat misinformation highlight his commitment to public health and safety. By sharing his personal experience and emphasizing the importance of vaccination, he has contributed to raising awareness and encouraging others to prioritize their health.
Richarlison's engagement with social justice issues, including the environment, police violence, and human rights, underscores his broader concern for societal well-being. His willingness to use his platform to address these issues reflects his sense of responsibility as a public figure to advocate for positive change.


Moreover, Richarlison's openness about his struggles with depression and his decision to seek counseling serve as powerful reminders of the importance of mental health awareness and destigmatization. By sharing his story and encouraging others to seek help, he has helped break down barriers surrounding mental illness in the sports community and beyond.
Overall, Richarlison's actions both on and off the field exemplify his commitment to making a difference in the lives of others and contributing to a better world.

References

1.  "Terceiro reforço: Fluminense confirma a contratação do atacante Richarlison" [Third addition: Fluminense confirm the signing of forward Richarlison]. Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 29 December 2015. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
2. ^ "Scarpa brilha e Richarlison faz estreia de gala" [Scarpa shines and Richarlison puts on a show on debut]. Lance! (in Portuguese). 13 May 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
3. ^ "Vaz erra, Richarlison desencanta, e Flu bate o Fla por 2 a 1 em Natal" [Vaz makes a mistake, Richarlison disenchants and Flu beat Fla 2–1 in Natal]. Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 26 June 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
4. a b "Com nove jogadores de Fla e Flu, Ferj divulga seleção do Campeonato Carioca" [With nine players from Fla and Flu, FERJ names team of the Campeonato Carioca]. Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 7 May 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
5. ^ "Fluminense 'esquece' vantagem, atropela Vasco no Maracanã e está na final do Carioca" [Fluminense 'forget' lead, trample Vasco in the Maracanã and are in the final of the Carioca] (in Portuguese). ESPN. 22 April 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
6. ^ "Em dia de Maracanã cheio, Fluminense bate o Liverpool pela Sul-Americana" [On day of full Maracanã, Fluminense beat Liverpool in the Sudamericana]. O Dia (in Portuguese). 6 April 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
7. ^ "Fluminense 4 × 0 Universidad Católica-EQU" (in Portuguese). Estadão. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
8. ^ "Abad confirma venda de Richarlison ao Watford por 12,5 milhões de euros" [Abad confirms the selling of Richarlison to Watford for 12,5 million euros]. Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 31 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
9. ^ "Official: Richarlison signs". Watford F.C. 8 August 2017. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
10. ^ MacInnes, Paul (19 August 2017). "Richarlison and Capoue strikes reward battling Watford at AFC Bournemouth". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 August 2017.