Who is Angel Gomes? Former Man United youngster now starring for Lille makes England debut

Angel Gomes, who was once hailed as an exciting youth prospect at Manchester United, received his first call-up to the England squad in September 2024.

Now thriving at Lille, Gomes has impressed on the pitch over the past year, earning a place in interim manager Lee Carsley's plans for UEFA Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. His inclusion follows his key part played in England's European Under-21 Championship victory last summer and the Under-17 World Cup-winning team in 2017.

"It's not something that I wanted," Gomes once said, reflecting on the weight of the "wonderkid" label. After leaving United for more opportunities, the player found his form in France, becoming an important first-team performer for Lille and earning his long-awaited England debut.

The Sporting News takes a look at his history as a player and what type of midfielder he is.

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Who is Angel Gomes?

Gomes is a professional footballer who plays for Lille in France's top division, Ligue 1. Before he moved to France, he was a product of Manchester United's academy and was highly regarded for his technical skills and creativity.

After limited first-team opportunities at United, Gomes moved to Lille in 2020 to further his career. He has nearly made 100 appearances for the club from northern France.

Angel Gomes position and style of play

Gomes is known for his versatility and creativity when it comes to his style on the pitch.

While he's primarily played as an attacking midfielder, he has also at times been played out on the wing or slightly deeper in a central midfield role.

His playing style includes a wonderful ability to dribble, which coincides with his vision and decision-making. He can be particularly effective in tight spaces and has an eye for threading passes in build-up play.

At Lille, he has developed into a more complete midfielder, often dropping back to help with defensive duties while still maintaining an attacking threat.

Angel Gomes career to date

*Stats correct as of September 7, 2024

Where is Angel Gomes from?

Gomes was born in London, England, in the year 2000. He comes from a footballing family, with his father, Gil Gomes, being a former professional footballer who represented Benfica at a young age.

Gil then moved to England shortly after Gomes' birth where he played for a range of lower-league English sides such as Hyde United and Salford City.