Take a look at Carlos Mendes Gomes’ Wikipedia page and you’ll be awarded for a double inclusion. While some footballers have a list of former clubs as long as there is a phone book, Gomes only has three clubs on his file, but you would struggle to find a player with a more eclectic mix.
The 22-year-old’s career so far has taken him from Atletico Madrid to West Didsbury and Chorlton to Morecambe. It’s a journey almost as varied as the one Mendes Gomes tackled in his personal life, but which will reach a career high on Monday when he is eliminated with Morecambe for the second division play-off final at Wembley.
His career climax comes at a time of personal happiness, a time when he feels settled and has a place to call home. He left Senegal at the age of two and moved to Lanzarote when his father, Carlos Sr., was looking for work in the Spanish construction industry. At age 12, Mendes Gomes moved to Madrid to pursue his football dreams, leaving his parents and siblings on the island while he lived with his cousin Felipe. He had a year with Getafe before being poached by Atletico.
At the age of 16 the family moved to Salford and his father ended up doing more work in the construction industry. He felt the move would be beneficial for the whole family, but the change was daunting for a teen who didn’t speak English and Mendes Gomes wanted to stay in Madrid to advance his football career. But almost six years later he calls Salford and Manchester home.
“I had heard of Manchester, I was a Manchester United fan as a kid, but knowing I was leaving the Atletico Madrid academy to come here and start from scratch was daunting. I pointed this out to my dad, but the decision was made and he finally convinced me to come over, “Mendes Gomes told the Manchester Evening News.
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On the subject of matching items
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On the subject of matching items
He had always admired English football and was intrigued by the country, but his early days in Salford were a struggle as he battled the language barrier.
Mendes Gomes wanted to chase his football dreams too, but his background in Atletico’s academy didn’t get him any breakthroughs. He called and wrote to professional clubs in Greater Manchester, including United and City, but after a year without a game he had to settle for a season in West Didsbury and Chorlton in 10th grade while studying at Manchester College.
But by then the teenager, who was born in the Senegalese region of Dakar, found a home in Salford thanks to the generosity of the people.
“The first few months were pretty difficult, I didn’t know anyone. But when I went to Manchester College, I made quite a few friends. Playing football with people from the community helped me fall in love with the place,” he said.
“I’ve lived here for almost six years and now Manchester is my home to me, it feels like home. It wasn’t like that back then, I didn’t know anyone and I struggled with the language barrier.
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“I came from Spain and Madrid, where everyone does their own thing, but it was here that I realized that people will say hello when you walk down the street.
“It’s little things that make you appreciate things a little more. Since I came to Manchester and met people, it has felt different than before.”
Exchanging academy life at one of Europe’s largest clubs for a slog in the North West Counties Premier Division is quite a change, and for Mendes Gomes his time in West Didsbury and Chorlton was certainly an eye opener.
“It was difficult, it was my first experience of English football. It was very tough, physically, something I wasn’t used to. The pitches weren’t the best and the weather didn’t help much, either,” he said.
“But for me it was just about playing football and enjoying it, which I did. It helped me, I think without that experience I wouldn’t be the player I am today. If you had that evil side of football, you appreciate it more. ” In ideal game conditions, you will be less likely to complain about playing fields, weather, referees or how tough the opponent is. “
As befits someone who moved four times in their first 16 years, Mendes Gomes never gave up on the dream of professional football. Besides his time in West Didsbury and Chorlton, he played for the team at Manchester College – where he studied engineering – just for fun.
Morecambe was introduced to his talents through one of the trainers at the college development center. After two years of steady progress, he shone on the coast this season, scoring 15 goals to lead the Shrimp to the League Two play-off final on Monday. The promotion would mark a remarkable season for a club recognized for relegation.
Whatever happens, Mendes Gomes’ future looks bright. He has been linked with a move to Rangers this summer. But first comes a date at Wembley that he still can’t believe is real.
“It’s amazing, I don’t think until I step on this field I’ll believe it,” he said. “I’m going to try to be as cool and calm as possible, but it’s pretty difficult to do that, especially when you come from where I’m from and from the fights I’ve had to now in the biggest stadium in the world To be able to play the world. ” World is a dream come true. “
Back in Yeumbel, Senegal, his extended family of uncles and cousins will tune in after making sure they have the right TV channel for the game. At Wembley, some of Mendes Gomes’ six siblings and his father will travel down from Salford to see the latest chapter in an incredible journey.
