Barcelona's Andre Gomes is already showing he's 'one of our own'
When Andre Gomes was presented a couple of weeks ago, he shared an embrace with his father in the bowels of Camp Nou. His father has always has a passion for FC Barcelona, and to see his son in Blaugrana overloaded his emotions and he could not help but cry. Without a doubt, with Barcelona prying Gomes from under Real Madrid's nose, there was a good feeling about this transfer. And on Monday, the Portuguese midfielder 'winked' to show he knows what it means to be a Cule. It was his first day of training and Gomes took and posted a photograph of a wall at the Ciutat Esportiva, with Barcelona's values written on. Team, ambition, humility, respect and effort, among others. There's no better way to start your new life than following the concepts whichs are pillars of the footballing philosophy that Johan Cruyff birthed in the 90s.
Andre Gomes can also count on the help of a friend in the dressing room who knows the club inside out. Sergi Roberto is someone he's known since they played each other for their respective nations (Portugal and Spain) at U21 level. They met at various tournaments and there is a good friendship between them that will be consolidated in the coming days. They say also that Gomes is an extrovert, very different from the timid Denis Suarez, and is very passionate about animals - he brought two dogs with him - and is likely to be good friends with the German Marc-Andre ter Stegen. He can also compete with Leo Messi at FIFA 2016 - because of some injuries he's become quite the whizz on the PlayStation.
Overbooking?
After playing at Benfica and Valencia, Andre Gomes' great opportunity arrives at just 22 years old. It will not be an easy challenge and if there's anything Luis Enrique has enough of this season it's central midfielders. He will have to fight for a place against talents like Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic, Rafinha, Denis Suarez and Sergi Samper, among others - as well as potentially Javier Mascherano and Sergi Roberto. There are only three places available - it will be a brutal battle.
Ande Gomes started yesterday. He suffered in the centre of the rondo, sure, but has already started to demonstrate his quality. Gomes is already showing that he is one of our own.
