Who is Richarlison? Richarlison de Andrade, known simply as Richarlison, is a Brazilian footballer born on May 10, 1997, in Nova Venecia, Espirito Santo, Brazil. He plays as a forward for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and the Brazilian national team. Richarlison's journey from a small-town youth player to an international star showcases his talent, determination, and versatility. He began his career at Real Noroeste, moved to América Mineiro, and then to Fluminense, where he made a name for himself. His impressive performances earned him transfers to Watford, Everton, and eventually Tottenham. Richarlison has also shone on the international stage, contributing to Brazil's Copa América victory and Olympic gold medal.
Key Takeaways:
- From a small town in Brazil to the global football stage, Richarlison's journey is inspiring. His impact on clubs like Everton and Tottenham, as well as the Brazilian national team, showcases his versatility and resilience.
- Richarlison's rise to prominence at Fluminense and successful transition to European football highlight his talent and determination. His international success with Brazil, including winning the 2019 Copa América and 2020 Olympic gold, solidifies his status as a top striker.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Richarlison de Andrade, known simply as Richarlison, has a story that begins in the small town of Nova Venecia, Espirito Santo, Brazil. His journey from humble beginnings to the global football stage is nothing short of inspiring.
- 01
Birth and Early Life: Born on May 10, 1997, in Nova Venecia, Espirito Santo, Brazil, Richarlison's early years were shaped by his passion for football.
- 02
Youth Career: His football journey began in 2013 when he joined Real Noroeste as a youth player, showcasing his potential from a young age.
- 03
Transfer to América Mineiro: In 2014, he moved to América Mineiro, where his talent quickly propelled him to the first team.
- 04
Professional Debut: Richarlison made his professional debut on July 4, 2015, for América Mineiro, scoring in a 3–1 win against Mogi Mirim.
- 05
Contract Extension: Just 17 days after his debut, he extended his contract with América Mineiro until 2018, signaling his importance to the team.
- 06
Promotion to Série A: On November 21, 2015, América earned promotion to Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, with Richarlison playing a crucial role despite being sent off in the final match.
Rise to Prominence at Fluminense
Richarlison's move to Fluminense marked a significant step in his career, where he continued to develop and impress.
- 07
Transfer to Fluminense: In December 2015, Richarlison signed a five-year contract with Série A club Fluminense.
- 08
Debut for Fluminense: He made his debut for Fluminense on May 13, 2016, in the Copa do Brasil, contributing to all his team's goals in a 3–3 draw against Ferroviaria.
- 09
League Debut: Two days later, he made his league debut for Fluminense in a 1–0 win against América.
- 10
First Goal for Fluminense: His first goal in the division came on June 26, 2016, in a 2–1 win against Flamengo, despite being injured during the match.
- 11
Campeonato Carioca Success: In the 2017 Campeonato Carioca, Richarlison scored 8 goals in 12 matches, earning a spot in the team of the season as Fluminense finished as runner-up.
Transition to European Football
Richarlison's talent soon caught the eye of European clubs, leading to his move to the Premier League.
- 12
Transfer to Watford: In August 2017, Richarlison joined Watford, where he quickly made an impact with his performances.
- 13
Debut Season at Watford: He scored five goals in his first 12 league games and featured in all 38 Premier League fixtures, establishing himself as a key player.
- 14
Transfer to Everton: In July 2018, Richarlison moved to Everton for a reported fee of £35m, becoming the club's most expensive signing at the time.
- 15
Debut for Everton: He marked his debut with a brace in a 2-2 draw against Wolves, showcasing his potential at Goodison Park.
- 16
Establishing Himself at Everton: During his time at Everton, Richarlison scored 53 times in 152 appearances, solidifying his reputation as a top striker.
- 17
Role in Avoiding Relegation: He played a critical role in helping Everton avoid relegation, contributing significantly to the team's survival.
International Success with Brazil
Richarlison's international career has been equally impressive, with notable achievements for the Brazilian national team.
- 18
International Debut: He made his senior debut for Brazil in September 2018, as a second-half substitute in a 2-0 win over the United States.
- 19
2019 Copa América Victory: Richarlison was part of the squad that won the 2019 Copa América, scoring in the final against Peru.
- 20
2020 Olympic Gold Medal: He played a vital role in Brazil’s gold medal success at the 2020 Summer Olympics, finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals.
- 21
2022 FIFA World Cup Participation: Richarlison starred at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scoring three memorable goals, including a volley against Serbia shortlisted for the 2022 FIFA Puskas Award.
Move to Tottenham Hotspur
Richarlison's career took another leap when he joined Tottenham Hotspur, continuing to showcase his talent in the Premier League.
- 22
Transfer to Tottenham Hotspur: In July 2022, Richarlison joined Tottenham Hotspur from Everton in a £60m move, signing a contract until 2027.
- 23
Champions League Debut: He marked his Champions League debut with both goals in a 2-0 win over Marseille, scoring both headers in his first match for the club.
- 24
Showboating Criticism: Richarlison's showboating during early matches at Tottenham sparked media discussions, with mixed reactions from critics and fans.
- 25
Injury Issues: Despite initial struggles, injuries affected his performance, leading to public complaints and criticism from manager Antonio Conte.
- 26
First Premier League Goal for Tottenham: He scored his first Premier League goal for Tottenham on April 30, 2023, in a 4-3 loss to Liverpool.
- 27
Late Comeback Win: On September 16, 2023, Richarlison scored an equalizing goal and assisted the winning goal in a late comeback win against Sheffield United.
Challenges and Comebacks
Richarlison faced several challenges during his time at Tottenham but continued to demonstrate resilience and skill.
- 28
Groin Surgery: In November 2023, Tottenham confirmed that Richarlison had undergone surgery on his groin, ruling him out until early December.
- 29
Return to Form: After his surgery, Richarlison returned in spectacular form, scoring nine goals in eight league matches between December 2023 and February 2024.
- 30
Recognition for Form: His goalscoring run earned him a place on the shortlist for the Premier League's Player of the Month in January and February's Goal of the Month.
- 31
Knee Injury: A knee injury limited his starts in Tottenham's last 13 matches, though he still managed to score against Liverpool.
- 32
Exclusion from Copa America Squad: The injury ruled him out of contention for Brazil's Copa America squad for the summer of 2024.
Richarlison's Impact and Versatility
Richarlison's versatility and impact on the field have made him a valuable asset for both club and country.
- 33
Cap and Goal Record: By the end of the 2023/24 season, Richarlison had 48 caps for Brazil, scoring 20 goals.
- 34
Versatility on the Field: Known for his versatility, Richarlison can play as a wide attacker or central striker, showcasing his adaptability.
- 35
Impact on Watford and Everton: During his time at Watford and Everton, Richarlison played a crucial role in both teams' performances, helping them avoid relegation.
- 36
Campeonato Carioca Team of the Year: In 2017, he was named in the Campeonato Carioca Team of the Year after helping Fluminense reach the final.
- 37
International Appearances: Richarlison has made 67 appearances for Brazil, scoring 19 goals and participating in major tournaments like the Copa America and the FIFA World Cup.
- 38
Tournament Performances: He has been part of Brazil's squads that won the 2019 Copa America and finished as runners-up in the 2021 Copa America.
- 39
Olympic Medal: Richarlison's participation in the 2020 Summer Olympics was instrumental in Brazil’s gold medal success, where he finished as the tournament’s leading scorer.
- 40
Premier League Statistics: As of the end of the 2023/24 season, Richarlison had 14 goals in 66 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, demonstrating his continued impact in the Premier League.
Richarlison's Remarkable Journey
Richarlison's rise from a small town in Brazil to becoming a global football star is nothing short of inspiring. From his early days at Real Noroeste to his impactful stints at América Mineiro, Fluminense, Watford, Everton, and now Tottenham Hotspur, he's shown incredible skill and determination. His versatility on the field, whether as a wide attacker or central striker, makes him a valuable asset. Internationally, Richarlison has shone brightly, contributing to Brazil's victories in the 2019 Copa América and the 2020 Olympic Games. Despite facing injuries and challenges, his resilience and talent have kept him in the spotlight. With 48 caps and 20 goals for Brazil, his journey is far from over. Richarlison's story is a testament to hard work, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in football.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was this page helpful?
Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.