Former Manchester United player Angel Gomes has revealed that his father spoke with people high up in one country’s FA ahead of his England call-up.
Lee Carsley became England interim manager after Gareth Southgate stepped down as Three Lions boss following the end of Euro 2024 in Germany.
Gareth Southgate failed in his bid to end England’s long-running silverware drought, with the Three Lions losing 2-1 to Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.
Lee Carsley will now take charge of England for the Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland during the September international break.
The England interim manager has already made the big decision to call up Angel Gomes, who has thrived at Lille since his exit from Manchester United in 2020.
Gomes, who came through the United youth academy, broke into the Lille first team and secured regular playing time for the French side.
The 24-year-old Lille midfielder has represented England at youth level, but Gomes has not been capped at senior level for the Three Lions.
Gomes on international allegiance
Angel Gomes could represent England, Angola or Portugal at senior level in his playing career, with his father being of Portuguese descent.
The former Manchester United player’s father, Gil Gomes, represented Portugal at youth level and could have opened the door for Angel with the country’s FA.
However, Gomes has now revealed that his dad wanted him to choose his “own path” and his dream was to “always to play for England.”
“My dad had conversations with people that he knows, some of the players he played with, high people in the Portuguese FA,” he said, as per The Daily Mirror.
“My dad played for Portugal and growing up through the age groups, my brother played for Portugal, but my dad always wanted me to choose my own path. And from [a] young [age], my dream was always to play for England.”
Gomes ready for England challenge
England’s Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland will be played at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 7th September.
The Three Lions will then face Finland on 10th September at Wembley in their final fixture of the international break.
Gomes is keen to make an impression on his England debut – whenever that may come – and is ready to take “responsibility” in his role as a midfielder.
“Someone that is brave,” he said.
“I like to take risks, I like to help the team in every phase of the pitch, to help the team play out or control the game or to get as high as possible. I can operate in all three roles.
“I am confident, I like keeping the ball, I like taking responsibility.”
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