'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Leo Messi on for Deco. Cristiano Ronaldo on for Nicky Butt. Iconic substitutes, wouldn't you say?
And then this happened. 16-year old Angel Gomes replaces the charismatic Wayne Rooney in the 88th minute vs Crystal Palace in a premier league clash in May '17. Who knows, this might go down as one of those symbolic substitutions too?
For the uninitiated, Gomes is a 17-year old British footballer and Manchester United academy player, and easily their best youth prospect right now. An extremely talented footballer, he operates at various positions in the midfield as well as at the wings, CAM being his preferred position. The right-footed wizard barely stands at 5'6", but don't we know of another midget who is probably one of the greatest footballers?
Right after his debut, the youngster shared a picture of his idol Wazza and him, taken 10 years ago. This must have been a dream come true for the lad, who became the youngest player to feature for the Red Devils since Duncan Edwards in 1953. To add to that, he subsequently became the first player born in the 2000s to play in the Premier League--we're sure these paltry records aren't the only ones he'll break in his bright looking career.
The teenage sensation has also shown unreal leadership skills, captaining the English U-16, U-17 and U-18 sides. Son of former footballer Gil Gomes, he has been a regular in all the youth sides he has featured in. Very recently, he starred for England under-17 in the U-17 WC taking place in India, and led the promising English side to a well deserved victory. Although he barely got to start games, he made his impact coming on from the bench, most notably in the 4-0 trashing of Chile, where Gomes scored an exotic curler from a free kick.
Interestingly, Gomes is also the cousin of ex-Manchester United winger Nani, so this definitely runs in the playmaker's blood. The young lad scored 12 and assisted 8 times in just 20 games in the U-18 Premier League, and it's almost time that more first team opportunity comes knocking down at his door.
Excellent vision, quick on the ball, skilled dribbler and the incredible ability to turn and fire a shot into the net with utmost finesse like Dybala--Gomes is clearly the complete package. He has already attracted interest from European giants Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, and soon it might be tough for Manchester United to retain the dynamic youngster if they don't give him more gametime--one mistake they deeply regret after Paul Pogba saga.
