‘I never got involved’ – Tottenham star opens up on his tough childhood

Richarlison has opened up on his tough childhood and the journey he has been on to get to the top level.

Richarlison is expected to lead the line for Brazil at the World Cup and it will certainly be a proud moment for the Tottenham man to don the Selecao’s number nine shirt in Qatar.

It looked like his dream of playing in the World Cup might be snatched away from him when he picked up a calf injury against Sporting Lisbon last month but thankfully, the 25-year-old managed to make a swift recovery and is now fit ahead of Brazil’s opener against Serbia on November 25.

Richarlison has already impressed on a big stage for his country, helping Brazil to Olympic Gold last summer, and he will be hoping to have similar success in Qatar. The Spurs star has explained how his family were instrumental in ensuring he took the right path as a youngster.

The striker said on the docu-series World at their Feet on discovery+ (as relayed by Football.London): “I was very happy that I got to be (Olympic) top scorer.

“I was born in Nova Venecia, in Espirito Santo. It’s a small town with 50,000 inhabitants. In my childhood, I didn’t like to stay indoors. I was happiest playing out in the street.

“My father was a builder and worked in the fields. My mother was a cleaner. I remember she earned 250 Reais (£39.48), and the rent for the house was 180 Reais (£28.43).

“My journey was a bit difficult. Where I lived, everything was happening. I saw a lot of money, weapons and drugs. And this is a moment when you have to decide. 

“My father supported me. There was also my uncle, who I lived with for a while. I think that the people who were around me helped a lot. Thank God I never got involved in things like this.”

Spurs Web Opinion

While it is always special for any player to represent their country, I have always felt that it means just that little bit more for South American players. That is perhaps because many of them arguably face difficult childhoods, with football often being their tickets out of poverty. They often have a much more challenging journey to get to the top.

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