Football rarely shows a sentimental streak. It’s all about business, getting the job done.
And if, as expected, Javi Gracia picks Heurelho Gomes for today’s FA Cup semi-final, it won’t be because the Watford manager wants to give the popular goalkeeper a nice day out at Wembley before he hangs up his gloves this summer.
No, Gracia will select the Brazilian simply because he has done so in every round. Like many managers, Gracia saw the cup competitions as a way to keep his No2 involved whilst giving Ben Foster a break. And nothing has happened so far to make him regret that decision.
Nevertheless, this occasion will surely mean a great deal to a character not adept at hiding his feelings. His career in England started at Tottenham eleven years ago when, for a time, performances lurched between heroic and erratic.
But it was off the pitch where Gomes really came into his own, especially amongst fellow South Americans trying to adjust to the change in culture. Sandro was one of several Gomes took under his wing.
Over at Watford, Richarlison also benefited from his guidance. When the raw teenager, for instance, kept coming in to training wearing shorts and flip-flops, even as winter set in, Gomes took him shopping to buy some warmer gear.
Such care and compassion doesn’t immediately seem suited to the cut-throat world of football agents but that is one option the 38-year-old wants to explore after retiring, with particular emphasis on earmarking Brazilian youngsters to try their luck here. Alongside, Gomes may also become a pastor, which, again, isn’t your average career choice for an ex-footballer.
But Gomes has always been different. More importantly, he’s always been a great influence in terms of empathy for his fellow man. For that alone, he deserves a glorious send-off. And who knows? It could be in the FA Cup final.
