Everton attacker Richarlison has revealed that he almost quit football to focus on selling ice creams and growing coffee as a youngster.
The Brazilian is the Toffees’ joint-top scorer this season with 12 goals following a £35m move from Watford last summer.
His exploits early on in 2018/19 earned him a maiden international appearance for his country last August, capping a remarkable rise for a player who was still plying his trade in Brazilian domestic football this time two years ago.
Richarlison hasn’t always had it easy, though – the Nova Venecia-born forward told FourFourTwo that he was once held up at gunpoint after being mistaken for a drug dealer, and he’s now revealed that he almost gave up the game to help his family earn extra money.
“After my first trial went wrong I was 16 years old, I was always required at home to pull my weight,” Richarlison said.
"My mum wanted me to work and study, she put me under pressure to bring in food and be a member of the household.
"I was very close to quitting and just get a job. I sold ice creams, I worked at a car wash and my grandfather had a piece of land and I'd help him out. He grew coffee and peanuts."
Amid those difficulties, Richarlison viewed football as a way out of the difficult life he endured as a child.
“It was [an escape]," the forward added. “All the cities have loads of football pitches and, in a way, they are a refuge.
“It was an escape for many from drugs. I've seen wads of cash in front of me, but it was good for me to have this escape and have a coach who was a police officer. He was a great example to me and helped me a lot."
Richarlison will be looking to help Everton end a three-game winless run at home when they welcome Chelsea to Goodison Park on Sunday.
