- Beto joined Everton from Udinese in August 2023.
- The 28-year-old Beto is Everton’s top goalscorer this season.
- Talks of his love for Everton and the club’s amazing support.
Beto sat down with the Official Matchday Programme for a superbly honest conversation. The Everton striker opened up about his mindset, his relationship with David Moyes, and what it truly means to wear the famous No.9 shirt. With four goals in his last five outings, the 28‑year‑old is in the form of his Everton career.
The Lisbon‑born forward has become known for his philosophical side. When asked about a previous answer comparing himself to a wolf climbing a hill, he explained the thinking behind it.
‘The wolf on top of the hill is not as angry as the wolf climbing the hill’
“When you are younger and you think about this question, everyone – me included – wants to be, like, a lion… king of the jungle, blah, blah, blah,” Beto said. “But then you see how he behaves, I don’t think he is the animal in my way of life, you know?
“The wolf… the wolf on top of the hill is not as angry as the wolf climbing the hill. This is more me. My hill is never finished. I always want to be better – not to be the wolf on top of the hill, but to keep going, to make sure every day that I’m better than the last.”
That relentless drive has been tested during his time at Everton. He admitted the club has challenged his mind more than anywhere else. “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.”
He credits his current form to refusing to give up. “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.”
Beto: ‘I am here – I am home’
Beto also spoke about the influence of David Moyes, describing the manager’s approach as “tough love”. “He is on me, when I miss a chance, he is straight on me. If I make mistakes, he tells me, ‘Beto, don’t do too much – hold, set and go!’”
The No.9 shirt carries significant weight at Everton, and Beto revealed he messaged Dominic Calvert‑Lewin before taking it. “Dom replied saying he really respected my message about it because wearing it was something really important to him. He was happy for me.”
On his connection with the supporters, Beto was emotional. “There is no doubt there is love for me. It means a lot. I see supporters on the streets and they say, ‘Beto, just keep going, keep fighting’, and you see how much they value the work, the effort that I put in.”
When asked about his future, he made his position clear. “Of course, I am here – I am home. When the time comes that I am no longer wanted here, I understand because this is football, and I will not be mad. Perhaps it’s my destiny to stay with Everton and if it’s not my destiny, I will still always love Everton.”
For Beto, who has battled through doubt and delivered when it matters most, the words ring true. He is the wolf still climbing the hill and Everton fans would not want him any other way.
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