Richarlison has revealed how feeling "part of the Everton family" has been key to his international breakthrough as he explained "being at the Club is almost like being back home in Brazil".
The 22-year-old - who had not won a senior cap when he joined the Blues from Watford last summer - hit his fifth goal in 10 appearances for the five-time world champions in their 7-0 victory over Honduras on Sunday.
He also laid on an assist for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus as the Selecao rounded off their preparations for the Copa America with a comprehensive success in Porto Alegre. Host nation Brazil kick off the tournament on Saturday when they take on Bolivia in Sao Paulo.
Richarlison, who also struck in his country's 2-0 win against Qatar last week, has continued his fine goalscoring form following a debut campaign at Everton which saw him net 13 times in the Premier League.
O DETALHE DO GOL! Jogada insinuante do Everton pela esquerda. Atacante cruzou para o meio da área e Richarlison completou para o gol vazio.
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) June 9, 2019
É o quinto do Pombo com a Amarelinha!
🇧🇷 7 x 0 🇭🇳 | #JogaBola #BRAxHON pic.twitter.com/L016a0ymgP
Richarlison bagged a brace on his competitive Toffees debut in a 2-2 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers as he rapidly emerged as a fans’ favourite at Goodison Park.
Richarlison saluted the sustained backing he has received since joining Everton, when he was reunited with Marco Silva after working with the Portuguese at Watford, and says feeling settled on Merseyside has helped him to flourish on the pitch.
“I really feel part of the Everton family,” he told evertonfc.com.
“It’s almost as if I’m back in Brazil [when I am at Everton]. The support I have got from the fans makes me very happy and I intend to do my very best for them.
“When I arrived at the Club, I set myself certain objectives – one was to win a place in the Brazilian national team and the other was to score goals for Everton.
“I believed in my ability and I’ve developed a great deal at Everton.”
Richarlison’s eye-catching displays over the course of the 2018-19 campaign saw him rewarded with Everton’s Young Player of the Season award.
The former Fluminense player says he has benefited from spending a full term under the tutelage of manager Marco Silva, while explaining how he has swiftly established a strong bond with his Toffees teammates.
Richarlison is confident Everton can build on their impressive results in the final two months of the season - the Blues accumulated 21 points from their last 11 Premier League matches - when the new campaign gets under way in August.
“I get on well with all of them.
“I am always looking to be talking to them, even though I struggle with my English. I’m looking to develop my English and I’m having lessons at home.
“I speak with my teammates all the time to establish these friendships.
“We have a great spirit at Everton which can only help my performances, and that of the team.
“Towards the end of last season, we had great victories against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. The belief is there within the squad and I think we can improve even more.”
