Watford ace Richarlison once had a GUN pointed at his face as he reveals all about growing up in drug-gang territory
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WATFORD ace Richarlison once had a GUN pointed at his face as he reveals all about growing up in drug-gang territory in Brazil.
The Hornets forward, 20, joined the Premier League this summer from Fluminese... with England a far cry from his life being raised in Vila Rubia - a rough area in Nova Venecia.
Richarlison - tipped for a call-up to Brazil's senior squad for the game against England at Wembley next month - says he has no fear taking on Chelsea this weekend.
Given his past, it's easy to see why.
Richarlison told the Telegraph: “I remember when I was growing up in Brazil, a guy once pointed a gun at my face because he thought I was a drug dealer trying to steal his distribution point.
"That was my life. After that, playing Chelsea seems much easier!
“That sort of thing was natural in my life, so I was not scared at all.
"It was a pretty rough area... I saw drugs in front of me every day, and gunshots as well.
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"We had a small house, but there was a backyard there where people used to hide drugs before selling them.
"They were my friends, so I could not do anything against them.
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"They were mostly involved with selling weed and stuff, but I have never touched it.
"Some of my friends from that time are in jail now."
Richarlison revealed a similar fate could have befallen him has it not been for football.
The Watford star added: "There was everything to turn myself in a drug dealer, but my coaches were from the police.
"As they were aware of where I was from, they were always giving me advice in order to prevent me going on that bad path."