Last week marked two years since Joao Gomes scored his first goal for Wolves, and the Brazilian has never looked back since.
Wolves signed Gomes for £15m from Flamengo in January 2023 alongside Mario Lemina, Pablo Sarabia and veteran Craig Dawson.
The Brazilian has since developed into a top-quality midfielder. Known for his aggressive tackling and ferocious pressing, the 24-year-old has also improved his composure in front of goal, scoring in clashes against Fulham, Crystal Palace and Blackburn Rovers.
Gomes is now arguably one of the first names on the team sheet, sharing a similar level of importance to Matheus Cunha, and Vitor Pereira has now revealed what he’s really like behind the scenes at Wolves.
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What Joao Gomes is like behind the scenes at Wolves
Gomes is often seen joking with his teammates off the pitch, possessing an infectious attitude that most teams crave in a relegation battle.
Unsurprisingly, his full-throttle displays on the pitch match how he is on the training ground, with Pereira explaining that he plays football like he’s with his school friends.
“Joao is the kind of player that is very happy playing football and you feel this every day,” he said via the E&S. “He comes happy to the training, he goes inside happy as a boy playing in school with friends.
“He has this spirit and he has true team spirit because he likes to help, he likes to be there, to run, to give everything. This is the typical player that we are looking for.”
There’s no wonder that Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are all interested in signing Gomes, who is carving a pathway to the very top of world football.
Vitor Pereira thinks Joao Gomes is ‘top-level’
Gomes only made his Brazil debut last year, ironically against England, as his national team secured a 1-0 win at Wembley.
He’s since become an important player under manager Dorival Junior, with Gomes accumulating a further eight caps for his country.
According to Pereira, becoming an integral figure for his national side showcases his talent and proves he’s a ‘top-level’ player.
“I can’t say to you, but if he’s a player linking with the Brazilian national team, you know the quality of this team,” he added.
“It means if you are a player that they (choose) it means that you need to have the top level. If not, it’s impossible to compete in this national team.”
Pereira also believes that, because his midfielder is still in the early stages of his career, it’s impossible to predict the levels he can reach.
“This is the kind of player that we cannot predict because he’s young. He’s young and I think it depends what will happen with his career.”
Wolves fans will hope that Gomes stays at the club for as long as possible, but with big clubs already circling, it seems only a matter of time before he leaves for mega money.