Exclusive Beto Interview Headlines Merseyside Derby Programme

The excerpt below was taken from an exclusive interview with Beto in this weekend's Official Matchday Programme for the Merseyside derby. Click here to find out more – or to purchase a one-off issue.

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"Everton is a club that has really challenged my mind,” Beto reveals. 

“I know I can play, I know I can score, I know I can improve – but the first season here was tough – mentally really tough – then, the second season as well. 

“I think I’ve become stronger, mentally. Now I have the mindset that I will just keep going and it will be a sunny day again one day. I can work through anything.

“I understand that momentum and confidence are a big part of it, too.”

That confidence is flowing again. The 10-capped Guinea Bissau international enjoyed an impressive second half of the previous campaign following the return of manager David Moyes, including a run of six goals in eight games across January and February.

Fast forward to today and we are in the midst of another of those fruitful periods, with four goals in the Blues’ past five outings. That has included a crucial strike in an impressive 3-2 away win over Newcastle, a brace and player-of-the-match display in an unforgettable 3-0 triumph against Chelsea on home soil, and the first equaliser in the 2-2 draw at Brentford last weekend. 

“I think it’s just because I don’t give up,” says Beto, when asked for the reasons behind his current form after a stuttering start to the term.

“I know people in my position would have given up. Me? Even if I go to the last game of the season and I only have one goal to my name, I will still be there, putting in everything I have to make it right. Until it’s over – why think if it’s good or bad?

“My last season was an example of how you can get rewarded for that. When you keep working and you give it everything, things will go for you. When something goes for you, like it did for me with the equaliser at Brighton, you get more opportunities to play, when you get more opportunities to play, your game understanding hits a different level and you get the confidence back. I believe confidence is the most important thing in sport."