Carlos Alcaraz tackles Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi question and makes Everton transfer claim

Everton's Carlos Alcaraz has explained the celebrations behind his first goal and lifted the lid on when the Blues' transfer interest in him originated

Carlos Alcaraz has lifted the lid on the ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’ celebration for his first Everton goal. And he has revealed that the Blues’ interest in him goes back to before his move to Flamengo.

Despite David Moyes declaring: “We’re desperately needing to add some quality in certain areas,” after losing 1-0 to Aston Villa in his first game back, Alcaraz, whose loan switch from the Rio de Janeiro giants wasn’t confirmed until after the deadline passed on the final day of the winter transfer window, proved to be Everton’s only new recruit.

Since then, nobody else in the Premier League has picked up more points than the Blues’ haul of 13 and Alcaraz’s late winner in the 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace means that having been just one point above the relegation zone when Sean Dyche was sacked, Everton are now as close to fifth-placed Bournemouth as they are to the bottom three.

Incredibly, they go into their next game, at home to Manchester United on Saturday, above their big-spending opponents in the table and this dramatic upturn in fortunes provides a sunny backdrop to this interview as shafts of lights gleam through the windows of the Titanic Hotel.

The Merseyside press pack have gathered en masse ahead of being ushered across the road for the historic first game at the new Everton Stadium. Alcaraz admits he’d love to join permanently this summer and have a chance at turning out in the Blues’ magnificent 52,888-capacity future home.

Although the conversation takes place from an interpreter, the excellent Phil Dickinson, who has worked with Everton for many years, the sincerity of Alcaraz’s words shines through. He said: “It would be brilliant to play there for sure. I have not been in there personally, but I have seen videos and images and it looks amazing and it would be really cool to play there.

“Currently it is a loan deal until the end of the season but, yes, I would like to settle down and make it longer, I would like to be playing in this shirt for a longer period for sure and hopefully make the move last longer.”

Alcaraz has already had a previous spell in England, making 48 appearances for Southampton and scoring eight goals having made his Saints debut at Goodison Park in a 2-1 win for the visitors on January 14, 2023.

So having subsequently returned to South America – via another loan move to Juventus – what inspired the 22-year-old to have another crack at the Premier League?

Alcaraz said: “I was happy during my time in Brazil with Flamengo, but stuff happened that involved other people and not directly me. I know that the loan deal will end at the end of the season but I need to stay calm and perform at a good level.

“Then when it finishes I can see if I'm able to carry on here. I'd like to continue playing here for a long time.

“I wanted to come because I already knew the Premier League and it's the best league in the game. The only challenge I wanted was to come and play for a big club like Everton. Like Ronaldo I like to put in the sacrifice and hard work and try To do things the right way.

“I have a lot of self-confidence and belief and I know the potential that I have as a player. The only way I know is to trust in my ability to play at my best in the best leagues against top sides, so the decision was based upon that, coming back and continuing to show what I can do.

“There was actually contact and interest before I went to Brazil, it didn’t come off in the end, it didn’t work out, but I was really pleased that a Premier League club and especially one of the stature and importance of Everton had shown that interest. The interest resuscitated during my time in Brazil and through that initial interest and the subsequent interest I didn’t need any convincing.”

So having just scored his first Everton goal that secured back-to-back away wins at Brighton & Hove Albion, and now Crystal Palace, why was proud Argentinian Alcaraz honouring Cristiano Ronaldo rather than compatriot Lionel Messi with one of the Portuguese superstar’s trademark ‘siu’ celebrations at Selhurst Park? He said: “I have always liked Cristiano despite being Argentinian.

“Obviously Messi I think is the best player in the world. There is no doubt there.

“But I have always liked Cristiano, I like his consistency, his dedication, his hard work, the way he has evolved and changed his style of play over the years.

“He has evolved to keep playing at the highest level. That celebration was just down to liking him so much, I always admired him.

“I was really happy, it was a fantastic moment wearing this beautiful shirt in front of those fantastic fans. I was really, really happy and let’s hope it is the first of many with the club.

“It was great to hear the fans chanting my name, singing my name, considering it was my first full game that was a beautiful moment. I just want to show them what I can do and pay back that faith. It was something that really made me proud to hear that so soon.”

Alcaraz is perhaps a typically South American ‘street footballer’ of the ilk Evertonians have seldom seen since their most-gifted home-grown hero Wayne Rooney. Having come into the side to replace the suspended Abdoulaye Doucoure, he prefers to be deployed in a more advanced midfield role.

He said: “Playing the number 10 is actually my favourite position because I can be closer to the goal. Obviously, the centre-forward on Saturday was Beto and I like that connection, I like to be closer to that area to either create assists or score myself.

“When I was at Racing there was a guy called Matias Zaracho, he was a midfielder like me, he was older than me and someone I looked up to. He always had a lot of time for me on and off the field and helped me as a player and he has similar qualities to me.

“I am really, really competitive and aggression is a part of my game, but I have other technical qualities as well. What you will find when I pull on this shirt is that I just want to give my best, I am very competitive and I give 100% all the time.”