With the Brazilian media making more and more interviews with Premier League players, it’s becoming quite clear Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is one of the nicest footballers around.
The 36-year-old, who’s been living in England for almost ten years, has already shown he doesn’t have much patience with pampered footballers, and is consistently praised by those who work with him.
Gomes spoke to UOL in an interesting interview published this Tuesday, and to start with, he made sure to say he’s not leaving Watford anytime soon.
“I don’t give competitors a break and the numbers mean success in English football. It’s been almost ten years here and it’s an interesting mark and hard to break,” said the player, who’s the Brazilian with the second most Premier League appearances.
“When I signed my first contract with Watford in 2014, the goal was to move up to the first division. We got it. Now the intention is to stabilise the club in the Premier League, which is happening naturally. Last season we took some risks. I don’t believe the team is ready for me to leave. I don’t want to look from outside and see the team being relegated in two years.
“I am already preparing myself in every way to end my career. Maybe I won’t continue on the pitch because I don’t have much patience to deal with players, but I understand the game well. I want to be prepared, so I’ll start a course even during the time I’m playing. I would like to be more involved in the off-field, who knows, maybe in the directive area.”
Regarding his irritation with players who live out of reality, Watford’s Gomes said: “The mentality of some players is above what we really are, human beings liable to error. But there are some who feel above others. This lack of respect drives me a little crazy. I don’t want to come across this kind of attitude anymore. They succeed, they are in the media, but so what? The important thing is the human being and the legacy that we are going to leave, not what we do on the pitch. It’s worth mentioning that there are many good people in football, even those who think they are are a little better.
“The things that come to the player are very easy, but if you stick to it, you’re totally out of the ordinary. And people sometimes can’t control themselves and let it go up to the head. It’s very difficult to get out of this bubble after entering it. There are those who have difficulty understanding that being a player is just a profession, we can’t behave as if we are above others.”
The Watford goalkeeper claims he almost let everything go to his head: “Certainly. In my case, I came from a poor family, who never had access to good things. After I came to Europe, champion for Cruzeiro, I was able to buy a better car, an expensive outfit, and the pride comes, as if you were better than other people. I was out for the night, I spent all that money, but I thought, ‘What’s this for, man?’ This cannot be the priority in people’s lives.”
His teammate Richarlison had already talked about the goalkeeper’s kindness a week ago, and now speaking to UOL, Gomes explained why he likes the striker so much.
“After a bad (Brazilian) generation, we managed to have a very good and talented one. In Richarlison’s case, he’s complete. Not only for what he does on the pitch, but off it as well. He has a family base, his head in place, and this is very important to achieve the full potential he has. Often the player limits himself on the pitch by what he does off it.
“Gabriel Jesus arrived already bursting too, Ederson already established himself. It’s not because you have talent that it will work, you have to plan the right career. Had Richarlison gone to Chelsea would he have the same opportunities he has at Watford? No way. Between Watford and Chelsea the player will want who? Of course Chelsea. That’s why I say Richarlison is complete, it was his decision.
“Tactically he is excellent and in Europe, if the player doesn’t have that ability, it won’t work. He is strong, fast and has dribbles that disconcert opponents. It’s complicated to mark him. I say he’s playing a lot of video games because he does all the video game moves (laughs).”
It’s perhaps a shame Heurelho Gomes doesn’t fancy himself as a future manager. Perhaps he could help young footballers, and keep their feet on the ground, it another role.
