Richarlison exclusive first interview: “It feels like a dream”

Richarlison is still pinching himself after his move to Spurs – and with it, his first tilt at the UEFA Champions League.

The Brazil international has spoken to us for the first time since we announced his arrival from Everton last week, the striker putting pen to paper on a contract until 2027.

“It feels like a dream,” said Richarlison, who already has 173 appearances and 48 Premier League goals to his name after spells at Watford, who he joined from Flumenese in 2017, and Everton.

“I remember when I was in Brazil and came the offer from Tottenham, I couldn't believe it. And after I signed the contract, even more so. When I arrived here it gave me a chill in my stomach to see my new team-mates and a new home.

“Now it's about working with the great coach I have, with great team-mates too. I hope to make history here in this shirt.”

Speaking of dreams, Richarlison is counting down the days to the start of our Champions League campaign. Having qualified by finishing fourth last season, we’ll find out our opponents in the group stage when the draw is made on 25 August, with the group stage set to start on either 6/7 September.

“It's a dream, isn't it?” he added. “I was even commenting with my friends that (watching on) the TV gave us goosebumps, just listening to the theme song. Now I can be inside the stadium, listening to that music at the start of the match and playing the Champions League.

“I always said it was my dream to play in the Champions League, and now this dream will come true. And let's see what will happen, I hope to start this Champions League on the right foot.”

How would he feel hearing that music for the first time? “I don't know, maybe I can cry, because it will be a special moment,” he told us. “To be there playing the Champions League, which I only watched on TV until last year, I was there on the sofa in my house, watching the Champions League, and I said it was my time to play there. All the players dream of playing in this great competition, so I think when the time comes, I'll be quite emotional.”

Asked for his targets for 2022/23, he replied: “I think we have everything here to be happy this year. Antonio Conte is putting together a great team to be able to compete in all competitions. I think we'll be very strong in all competitions, and we'll fight for titles.

“The coach will prepare us very well for this because there are many competitions and now we have to be focused as much as possible. So, I think we have everything to make great competition, and in the end, we have everything to lift a trophy.”

Look out for more from Richarlison soon on SPURSPLAY...