"We are so proud of him. He started from the bottom and look where he is! He is a nice boy, humble and honest," said his grandmother, Sebastiana Francisca de Andrade, 69, who hosts about thirty people in his house to watch the game.

This house, it was Richarlison who had it built for her in Nova Venecia, her hometown, a town of around 50,000 inhabitants in the state of Espirito Santo (southeast), with money from her first professional soccer player salaries.

In the living room with white walls and tiles, not enough room on the sofa.

The youngest, mostly cousins ​​of the Tottenham striker, are sitting on the ground, wearing Seleçao or London club shirts.

The mines are tense, and one hears only, from time to time, muffled cries of "Vai Charlinho!"

("go Charlinho", as his relatives call Richarlison), every time the Tottenham striker touches the ball.

After a first thrill when the number 9 of the Seleçao seems to have injured his thigh at the start of the match, following a shock with Modric, the family is relieved to see him finally stay on the field.

"If he didn't score, it's because we didn't pass the ball to him," complained a cousin when the family's pride was replaced in the 83rd minute.

Her grandmother stopped watching the game after halftime.

Too stressed.

Despite the disappointment of elimination on penalties against Croatia, his big sister, Kettima Pereira de Andrade, 27, takes stock of all the progress made by this player who was rejected more than once before sign his first professional contract.

Audiceia de Andrade, an aunt of Brazilian striker Richarlison, watches the World Cup quarter-final against Croatia on December 9, 2022 in Nova Venecia, Brazil © DOUGLAS MAGNO / AFP

"When my brother was younger, I made fun of him because he kept imitating Neymar. Now when I see him by his side, I realize he has achieved his childhood dream “, she said, not without emotion.

"Our father brought us to see all the matches he played when he was little, everyone got into the truck, it was a party," says the young woman, who works in the sale of underwear online.

"close-knit family"

Richarlison, 25, became a Brazilian favorite after scoring both goals in the 2-0 win over Serbia in the World Cup opener.

The images of his sumptuous acrobatic volley from second goal went around the world.

But in Brazil, he is also admired for his commitment to social causes.

"Our family is very united, and that's also why he became this loving, supportive person who helps those in need," said his aunt, Audiceia de Andrade, 51.

Children play football in the garden of Brazilian striker Richarlison's grandmother's house in Nova Venecia on December 9, 2022 © DOUGLAS MAGNO / AFP

Richarlison, for example, pays 10% of his salary to a hospital that treats patients with cancer, the disease that struck down his grandfather.

“I was taken care of there”, reveals his aunt, in treatment for breast cancer.

A cook by profession, she is eagerly awaiting Richarlison's return to Nova Venecia to cook up her favorite dish: fried eggs with rice and black beans.

© 2022 AFP