Angel Gomes recently opened up about his decision to leave Manchester United and join French Ligue 1 side Lille. The 24-year-old midfielder made the move in 2020, and subsequently went on loan to Boavista in Portugal for the 2020-21 season. Gomes’ performances back in France caught the attention of England interim head coach Lee Carsley, earning him his first call-up to the national team for matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
Reflecting on his departure from the club he had been at since the age of six, Gomes expressed that the decision was driven by a desire to improve both as a player and as a person. Despite the emotional difficulty of leaving his boyhood club, Gomes believed that it was necessary in order to carve out a path for himself. He acknowledged the challenges and obstacles he faced along the way but emphasized that the position he finds himself in now makes it all worthwhile.
Gomes revealed that he was among the players considered for Gareth Southgate’s squad for the European Championship last summer, which served as motivation for him. While he did not ultimately make the final cut, Gomes mentioned that being in the pre-selected group was a driving force for him to continue pushing himself. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to showcase his skills at the international level and emphasized that the near misses only fuelled his determination to succeed.
England is set to face the Republic of Ireland in Dublin followed by a match against Finland at Wembley, providing Gomes with a platform to prove his worth on the national stage. The midfielder’s journey from Manchester United to Lille and his subsequent call-up to the England squad exemplifies his resilience and determination to succeed in the face of challenges. Gomes’ story serves as inspiration to young players aspiring to reach the highest levels of the game through hard work and perseverance.