Toti Gomes reveals his footballing career began much later than most after admitting he ‘didn’t have the chance’ to play.
The Portuguese defender grew up playing rugby but his love for football was always there and despite not playing, the defender always found the time to watch and appreciate.
The 23-year-old admitted: ‘I always wanted to play football, my idols were Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi because when I started playing, I was a winger and striker.’
After beginning his career as an attacker, Gomes later discovered his true position as a defender and since returning to Wolves, he has developed and relished alongside the first team.
‘I’m learning and improving every day, I’m trying to learn more and with players like Saiss, Boly, I always try to see what they do on the pitch and in training so I can do it when it’s my time to play.’
Upon returning from his loan spell at Grasshoppers, the number 24 has trained with Bruno Lage’s first team and had high praises for his head coach.
He stated: ‘He’s been helping me a lot since I came here so I always try to learn when he talks and always try to stay focused so I can do it when it’s my time to play.’
Lage handed Gomes his first Premier League start in their 3-1 win over Southampton where he provided a strong performance and claimed he had his manager to thank.
‘He’s a really calm coach, he came to me saying do what you do on the training field, stay calm and the players will help you’
He added: ‘Things will come. It got me so calm so that was one of the reasons why I was not too nervous on the field.’
Alongside Portuguese manager Lage, Gomes has many international teammates around him which has allowed the youngster to integrate with ease.
The centre back said: ‘When I came here without anything they were already here to help me and its easier with communication. They integrated me very well.
‘I always spoke with the other guys too as my English is good. One of the players who helped me most was Coady, he has a big voice here in the changing room.
‘In my first match Neves didn’t play but after the game he sent me a congratulations message and that showed that the group, not just the Portuguese players, is really together and I was really happy with that.’
One player Gomes was most excited to work alongside once again was former teammate and friend Chiquinho. The pair have known each other since their school days and have linked up on the pitch for their international side.
He explained: ‘We’ve known each other since school, even before football. In Portugal we played together in the under 19.
‘I left for Switzerland but now finally finding him back here in the Premier League sharing the same dream in the best league, it’s incredible.’
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