Joao Gomes
Brazilian footballer.
João Victor Gomes da Silva, known professionally as João Gomes, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers. Born on February 12, 2001, in Rio de Janeiro, Gomes has quickly risen to prominence as one of the most promising young midfielders in world football.Gomes began his professional career with Flamengo in Brazil's Série A, making his debut on November 1, 2020, in a match against São Paulo. During his time at Flamengo, he established himself as a key player, making 59 appearances in the Série A and contributing to the team's success in various competitions. His performances caught the attention of several European clubs, leading to his transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 30, 2023, for a reported fee of €18.7 million.
Since joining Wolves, Gomes has made a significant impact in the Premier League. He scored the winning goal on his debut appearance for the club, coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 victory over Southampton on February 11, 2023. In the 2023/24 season, Gomes has further cemented his place in the team, making 34 appearances across all competitions and scoring 2 goals. His performances have been crucial in Wolves' midfield, showcasing his ability to adapt quickly to the demands of English football. At just 23 years old, Gomes is considered one of the most exciting young talents in the Premier League, with a bright future ahead of him at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Early life & youth football
João Gomes' early life and youth career were shaped by his upbringing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He joined Flamengo's youth academy at a young age, progressing through the ranks and showcasing his talent as a midfielder. Gomes' development in Flamengo's youth system was marked by his technical skills, tactical awareness, and physical presence on the pitch.His performances at youth level caught the attention of Flamengo's senior team coaches, leading to his integration into the first-team squad. Gomes made his professional debut for Flamengo at the age of 19, quickly establishing himself as a promising talent in Brazilian football. His time in Flamengo's youth setup laid the foundation for his successful transition to professional football, equipping him with the skills and mentality needed to compete at the highest level.
Professional career
João Gomes spent three seasons with Flamengo from 2020 to 2022, during which he rapidly established himself as one of the most promising young midfielders in Brazilian football.In the 2020 season, Gomes made his professional debut for Flamengo on November 1, 2020, in a Série A match against São Paulo. Despite being just 19 years old, he quickly became a regular in the first team, making 11 league appearances and 3 in the Copa Libertadores. His performances helped Flamengo claim the Série A title that season, giving Gomes his first major trophy as a professional.
The 2021 season saw Gomes further cement his place in the Flamengo midfield. He played a crucial role in the team's success, helping them win the Campeonato Carioca (Rio de Janeiro state championship). On May 22, 2021, Gomes scored his first senior goal in the final of this competition against Fluminense, securing the victory for Flamengo. Throughout the season, he made regular appearances in both domestic and continental competitions, showcasing his ability to perform consistently at a high level.
In 2022, his final season with Flamengo, Gomes reached new heights. He played a key role in Flamengo's Copa Libertadores campaign, South America's premier club competition. Gomes featured prominently throughout the tournament, including in the quarter-finals against Corinthians where he provided an assist. He started in both legs of the semi-final against Vélez Sarsfield, helping Flamengo secure a place in the final.
The pinnacle of Gomes' time at Flamengo came on October 29, 2022, when he started in the Copa Libertadores final against Athletico Paranaense. Flamengo won the match 1-0, with Gomes playing a crucial role in midfield. This victory marked Gomes as a Copa Libertadores champion at just 21 years old, a significant achievement that underlined his rapid development and importance to the team.Throughout his three seasons at Flamengo, Gomes made a total of 122 appearances across all competitions, scoring 4 goals.
His performances during this period caught the attention of several European clubs, ultimately leading to his transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2023. João Gomes joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 30, 2023, for a reported fee of €18.7 million. His transfer to Wolves came after an impressive stint with Flamengo in Brazil, where he had established himself as one of the country's most promising young midfielders.
Gomes made an immediate impact at Wolves, scoring the winning goal on his debut appearance as a substitute in a 2-1 victory over Southampton on February 11, 2023. This dramatic introduction endeared him to Wolves fans and set the tone for his integration into the team.Throughout the remainder of the 2022/23 season, Gomes made 13 appearances for Wolves in the Premier League, including 8 starts. While he didn't score any more goals during this period, his performances in midfield were crucial in helping Wolves avoid relegation.
Gomes quickly adapted to the physicality and pace of the Premier League, showcasing his tackling ability, work rate, and composure on the ball. In the 2023/24 season, João Gomes firmly established himself as a key player for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. The Brazilian midfielder made a total of 38 appearances across all competitions, showcasing his importance to the team and his ability to adapt to the demands of English football.In the Premier League, Gomes featured in 33 matches, starting 32 of them.
This consistent presence in the starting lineup demonstrates the trust placed in him by the Wolves management. Throughout the season, he scored 2 goals and provided 3 assists, contributing to the team's attacking efforts while primarily focusing on his midfield duties.Gomes' defensive contributions were particularly noteworthy. He made 64 fouls and received 11 yellow cards, reflecting his combative style of play and willingness to put in tackles to break up opposition attacks.
However, he managed to avoid any red cards, showing a level of discipline in his aggressive play.Offensively, Gomes took 24 shots over the course of the season, with 6 of them on target. This indicates his willingness to contribute to the attack when the opportunity arises, although his primary role remained that of a central midfielder rather than an attacking force.His performances helped Wolves navigate through a challenging Premier League campaign.
Gomes' ability to control the midfield, break up opposition plays, and initiate attacks from deep positions was crucial to the team's tactics.The Brazilian's rapid adaptation to the Premier League was impressive, considering this was his first full season in English football. His stamina and work rate allowed him to cope with the physical demands of the league, often playing full 90-minute matches.
National team
João Gomes' international career is still in its early stages, but he has already shown promise at the youth level for Brazil. While he has yet to make his debut for the senior Brazilian national team, Gomes has represented Brazil at the under-20 level, participating in the U20 Libertadores tournament where he scored one goal in two appearances.His performances for Flamengo and now Wolverhampton Wanderers have put him on the radar of the Brazilian national team selectors. As he continues to impress in the Premier League, there is growing expectation that Gomes will soon earn his first call-up to the senior Brazilian squad.
The competitive nature of Brazil's midfield, which boasts world-class talents, means that Gomes faces stiff competition for a place in the national team. However, his unique skill set and consistent performances in one of the world's top leagues make him a strong candidate for future international recognition.As Gomes continues to develop and gain experience at the highest level with Wolves, his chances of breaking into the Brazilian national team are likely to increase
Player’s style
oão Gomes' style of play is characterized by his versatility and all-round abilities as a central midfielder. He excels in both defensive and offensive aspects of the game, making him a valuable asset in the middle of the park. Defensively, Gomes is known for his tackling ability and positioning, often breaking up opposition attacks and regaining possession for his team.Offensively, he demonstrates good passing range and vision, capable of distributing the ball effectively and initiating attacks from deep positions.
Gomes also possesses the ability to drive forward with the ball, using his physical strength and technical skills to progress play.His work rate and stamina allow him to cover large areas of the pitch, contributing both in defense and attack throughout the match.