Everton signed Richarlison in a record-breaking £50m deal in 2018.
Richarlison had just come off the back of an impressive debut campaign in the Premier League with Watford, registering nine goal involvements.
The then-21-year-old was starting to garner attention in his native country Brazil, who have a rich history of producing exciting attackers.
In fact, Richarlison’s idol Neymar Jr began to notice his talent at Everton and made a bold prediction about his career at the time.
Fast forward to 2025, and Neymar’s comments have now been ruined.
Neymar Jr’s prediction about Richarlison in 2018
Back in 2018, Neymar predicted Richarlison to be a top player in the future if he continued to work hard on the training pitch.
“Everybody knows Richarlison is a really great player and a really nice guy,” Neymar told Everton’s website, via Toffee TV.
“I hope I can help him achieve his goals – help him inside the pitch and outside the pitch, as a friend and colleague.
“If he continues to be as smart as he has shown he is, keeps up his hard work and continues to work well, then he can be a great player in the future.”
“He has the ability to decide matches and to play well in great matches, as he is doing now for Everton.
“I expect him to continue growing up and keep developing in his career.”
Richarlison no longer living up to his early promise
Neymar’s prediction about Richarlison now looks in complete ruins as he’s a shadow of his former self at Tottenham Hotspur.
The 48-cap Brazil international hasn’t lived up to his £60m price tag since moving to the North Londoners in 2022.
Richarlison has netted just 18 times in 80 appearances for Spurs and has scored just two league goals this term.
He’s very much a fringe player in Ange Postecoglou’s squad and looks set to be sold in the summer transfer window.
There has been talk of Everton resigning Richarlison.
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