Beto reveals blunt Seamus Coleman talks that prompted major Everton change - 'I was angry'

Yahoo

25-05-2025

Goodison Park has been the stage for many emotional moments this season. Yet even after the last week, Beto's goal for Everton against Fulham in October is among the rawest.
The striker netted a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time for the Blues that night. Afterwards, Beto was seen in tears as he left the pitch.
It wasn't all that surprising to see. Ever since he joined the club from Udinese two seasons ago, the forward has never been shy opening up. Last summer, Beto admitted he would use messages from social media 'haters' as inspiration.
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But now? After a change of mindset and some candid words from captain Seamus Coleman, he's learned to channel his feelings in a more productive way.
"To be honest I was doing it because I was angry," he told reporters ahead of the clash with Newcastle United on Sunday (May 25). "I was playing with anger. Now I don't play with this kind of anger.
"Seamus told me: 'Don't do that'. Seamus said: 'I used to be like you, you're not going to get anywhere if you're just angry all the time'.
"Because for me anger was good, but now I'm playing more at peace with myself and peace with other people? I don't care. Me? I'm here, I play for Everton. God blessed me, if he put me here he did for a reason.
"I'm not a bad player. I know how to play football and know how to score goals. So I just need to keep doing my thing and don't worry about what everyone else is saying. The past is the past."
Beto revealed that the anger built up before the game against Fulham prompted him to work with a sports psychologist.
"I think it was the game against Fulham [in October] when I scored." he said when asked when he managed to find a level of peace in his play. "Because it came from four games in a row not coming on the pitch.
"I was sad a bit, you know. After [the game] I got a mental coach. We speak a lot, we speak to this day and I started to become more proud of myself. Knowing that I'm capable of doing certain things that other players can't do. I just kept putting in my mind 'my time will come, I'm going to have my chance.'
"So now I'm here. I'm starting most of the games. I don't know about Newcastle but for me it's good [to play] one, two or three games in a row.
"It is better to feel this way," Beto continued. "You play more freely, you don't play trying to prove [to] people. You prove [to] yourself, but you play with a conscience that's: 'Okay, I can do this, this, this'. Some games you're not going to play good, but that's okay. Next game, you can do better.
"Like the game against Chelsea. We conceded a goal because of me and the next game against Ipswich I was ready and we scored. This is what I'm saying. I just need to be in peace with myself."
The change after Fulham was not instantaneous, but seven more Premier League goals have followed for Beto this season. In all competitions he has 10 to his name.
In the clash at Goodison on Sunday with Southampton he was close to netting on a couple of occasions, with two strikes ruled out by VAR. But Beto was pleased with his performance - he wants to contribute more than goals and is "really proud" of the way his overall play has developed.
"I was offside for two goals but in my all-around game I think I was really good," he said of the win over Saints. "I was feeling great and I was confident in my abilities. I was really pleased with the game.
"I didn't score but we won. I didn't score but I was happy with the way I played. So I want to be consistent and try to play more often like this and be better every day."
That work ethic and determination to improve has not gone unnoticed by the Everton fanbase, who have largely stuck by the forward even during his difficult spells.
During the post-match celebrations after Southampton, there was a moment when the supporters started chanting the name of their striker.
Footage from Everton's All Access programme captured the surprise of Beto at being singled out among the first-team squad and a host of Blues greats on the pitch.
"I was distracted," he admitted. "I think Dwight (McNeil) and Tarky (James Tarkowski) were speaking on the stage and suddenly the fans started singing my name.
"I was asking: 'Why me?' In my mind Tarky and Dwight must have said something, but they didn't. It was just the fans singing my name. I can see that I am loved here in Everton - and I love them back. I just feel blessed to be here and be part of this club and the history.
'For me to play at Goodison is something good for me to remember. Just to be part of Everton's history is good.'
And the future? After seeing Newcastle Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur ending their trophy droughts this season, Evertonians have been wondering whether the new stadium can be a catalyst to their own silver-lined day coming along. The players are having similar conversations too it would seem.
"I told Gana (Idrissa Gueye) when we arrived at the stadium and a lot of people were outside chanting Everton and shouting and screaming," Beto revealed. "I said: 'Just imagine if we win a trophy, it's going to be mad'. Gana said: 'These people are crazy'."