Beto is using the criticism from his doubters as motivation as he aims to make an impact this season with Everton. The striker has noted the negative comments he receives, even taking screenshots of them to fuel his determination and progress.
At 26, Beto was disappointed with his debut season in the Premier League, despite some standout moments, such as his spectacular first league goal against Newcastle United and the fans chanting his name. As he prepares for the upcoming campaign, he is eager to repay the support of Everton fans and prove his worth at Goodison Park.
Beto joined Everton from Udinese last summer in a deal worth around £26 million, following interest from the club the previous January. It was an emotional move for him, having developed an interest in Everton when they were managed by Roberto Martinez. He made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut, helping the team come back against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup. Shortly after, he made his Premier League debut and assisted a goal for Arnaut Danjuma in a draw at Sheffield United. However, his progress was hindered when he was replaced by a fit-again Dominic Calvert-Lewin during a game at Brentford, where Calvert-Lewin’s performance shifted the competition for the starting forward position in his favor.
Reflecting on his early performances, Beto said, “I did well against Sheffield United and had a good start. But against Brentford, I realized I needed to be more prepared for the physical demands of the Premier League. This pre-season, I am focused on improving that aspect of my game. Competing with Dom and [Youssef] Chermiti, who were training well, I knew if a striker comes in and scores, he has the advantage.”
Beto thrives on competition and seized his opportunity in early December, showcasing his pace and strength with a powerful run and finish to score his first league goal in a 3-0 win over Newcastle. It was a proud moment for him, though he feared VAR might disallow the goal for offside.
Reflecting on the goal, he said, “It felt great because football is about confidence. For strikers, scoring is the best way to build confidence. You need to keep going and pushing yourself. That goal, which was a result of a fantastic team effort, helped boost my confidence and that of my teammates.”
However, Beto feels he did not fully capitalize on that moment, scoring only two more league goals in a season of 30 appearances, with just nine starts. When asked if he was satisfied with his first season, he responded honestly: “No. Even though it was my first season, I wanted more minutes and more goals. It was a tough season for Everton, but for me personally, it wasn’t enough. Now, I’m ready to give my best and prove myself.”
Despite the frustrations, there were glimpses of Beto’s potential and character. One notable instance was during a home defeat to West Ham United. Beto missed a penalty but continued to fight, eventually scoring a goal that briefly put Everton ahead. He took pride in his resilience, saying, “Even after missing the penalty, I felt I was dominating the game. My teammates supported me, and I knew I had to score. That resilience is a key part of who I am.”
Beto is determined to make the upcoming season his moment. Amid rumors about his future, he remains focused on Everton. Reflecting on the criticism he faces, he acknowledges it fuels his determination. Growing up working in fast food restaurants while pursuing his football dream, he understands the passion of fans and uses their comments as motivation.
“I sometimes take screenshots of negative comments to motivate myself,” Beto admitted. “When I read them, I tell myself that I will prove them wrong. It pushes me to train harder and perform better. I won’t let those criticisms define me.”
With this mindset, Beto is ready to prove his doubters wrong and make a significant impact this season.
