Former Manchester United player Angel Gomes, who visited the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) the late Prophet TB Joshua in 2016, has been called up to the England senior squad for the first time.
Although he has a small stature, England’s interim manager Lee Carsley intends to make him a prominent member of the squad as he looks to get England to win a major tournament after years of coming close.
Gomes plays his football in Lille, France and was top on the assist table last season with eight assists. Carsley describes him as excellent in technical abilities.
When Gomes visited Joshua in Lagos he was only 16 years old. He made the trip on the advice of his parents.
Speaking before the congregation at SCOAN, the Englishman narrated how frequent injuries hindered him from playing in times of important tournaments, matches and breakthrough moments.
He said, “My name is Angel Gomes, I’m from Manchester. I’m 16. I play for the Manchester United Football Club. And I’ve been struggling really with injuries.
“I’ve been having injuries around my hip and groin which have been affecting me playing. I also suffered ankle injury not long ago which kept me out for a long time.
“These injuries would come at hard times for me, times when I was having a breakthrough or times when I had to go to a tournament or playing games, these injuries would happen quite frequently.
“I play for Man United, I also represent England national team under-17 level as captain. I’ve known about the Synagogue Church of Nations for a long time.
“As my family follows the prophet, my parents are big fans. So we thought it would be a good time for me to come and be touched by the prophet.”
When the video surfaced on social media in 2020, Gomes said he was just exercising his faith with his parents’ direction.
He said he felt a “little shock” after Joshua touched him.
The 24-year-old told Sky Sports after being called up to the senior side that everything he’s been through has now been worth it.
