Despite only being 20 years old, Joe Gomez is already an established face in the Premier League and one of the players expected to lead his club and country in the years to come.
Having grown up in Lewisham and learned his skills on London's Powerleague pitches, Gomez began to build his reputation at Charlton and the England youth set-up before earning a dream move to Premier League giants Liverpool, in the summer of 2015, at just 18 years old.
Since then, Joe has tasted triumph and tragedy – an assist on his debut was followed weeks later by a horror knee injury that ended his season. One year later, Gomez returned to the first team and since this summer, he's been named captain of England's U21 team and made his Champions League debut.
Now one of the faces of Nike's Tiempo Legend 7, Joe Gomez reflected on his story so far; from catching the number 160 bus in Catford to making his first team debut for Liverpool.
COMPLEX: What does football mean to you?
Joe Gomez: Football means everything to me. It’s been my life from four years old onwards. It’s given me the best moments of my life and the lowest. I couldn’t imagine my life up to this point without it.
What was it like growing up in South London?
Growing up in South London was what moulded me really. I grew up in Caford, Lewisham. It just meant a lot of time playing out with my friends…football, obviously. It wasn’t always the nicest area, but it was better for it. I met my best friends there that are still my friends to this day. It’s where I played my first game of football for Marvels Lane, my dad’s team. We were based at Powerleague, “pits”, as we used to call it. That was the central hub for football growing up for me. We all used to go there for the weekend, pay £1 each for the cage and just enjoy ourselves really. That’s where I learnt to play with older players and older boys and just express myself.
It’s where my families from, they’re what guided me really; my mum, my dad, my three sisters and my brother. We all lived in the same house together and they’re who gave me the fundamentals of who I am today.
"It means a lot to be from london. it’s where I learnt a lot about different cultures and different people, and it toughened me up at times."
What does it mean to you to be a Londoner?
It means a lot to me to be from London. Obviously, it’s where I spent the majority of my life, it’s where I learnt a lot about different cultures and different people, and it toughened me up at times. There are good parts and there are bad parts but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I learnt a lot from just being around different areas and, obviously, travelling to and from football after school and experiencing different things. The ‘160’; that used to be my bus. Me and my friends, Kasey and Josh, would travel to and from Sparrows Lane from Catford. Frontline we used to call it. So yeah, I learnt a lot, just on those journeys and then playing out with my friends around those areas, going to pits and on the streets. We used to just kick balls in the local parks, and be ourselves really.
What were your first pair of boots?
My first pair of boots…Total 90s. They were good to me and I had a lot of fond memories in those boots. They were comfortable and I just enjoyed playing in them; scored my first goal with them, first tackle, so yeah, the Total 90s.
How different is the Tiempo now compare to the T90 you used to wear?
The Tiempo now is a lot different to the boot, the T90, I used to wear back in the day. I’d say the innovation has come a long way; they’re a lot more dynamic, a lot more comfortable and lighter. For me as a defender, they’re ideal for my touch when trying to be a ball playing defender.
"my role model was rio ferdinand. He's also from south london so he's someone i could apsire to be."
Who are your football role models?
For me, growing up, my main role model was Rio Ferdinand when he was playing with England. He was a centre half, I liked his style of play and he played with a lot of passion. I liked the person he was off the pitch and how dedicated he was to football. And obviously he’s also from South London, similar to me, so I could relate to him in that way and he was someone I could aspire to be like.
How did you get into football?
I first got into football at the age of four. It goes back to pits again, Powerleague. My friend Anthony and his mum, one Saturday, came to my house and asked if I wanted to go along with him and that’s where it started. I paid £2 for my session and every Saturday after that I was continuously there, so it all revolved around that first Saturday. Then we went on to form a team which my dad took charge of, Malvers Lane. That was my first memory.
What was it like coming through the academy system? How was it playing in such a tough competition, was there a challenge in forming friendships?
Coming through the academy system wasn’t always easy. It started off tough for me with my first trial at Charlton and I didn’t get in the first time, I was told I wasn’t good enough. From that point, I had to go away for a while, go back to my club and keep working. Luckily the second time I got in, and from that point on it was all a learning curve. I had a lot of instrumental coaches that helped guide me and work on the things that I needed to work on.
Eventually I got the opportunity to start playing up the age groups. I learnt a lot from that, from not being the strongest nor the quickest on the pitch and having to adapt and learn about myself really. I got into the youth team and that’s when it started getting a bit more serious, playing for points and knowing each game was a bit more important. From the youth team, I then had to make the step up to the first team. That was big step for me, just training with them and having the opportunity to go on the pre-season tour. I learnt a lot being in the men’s changing room and being in that environment. And then I got the opportunity to make my debut which was a dream debut for me, at home in the Valley. It was a big moment for me, personally, with all my family and friends in the stands. That was nice for me, that moment there signified all the hard work I’d been through growing up, all the trials and tribulations, so it was nice to make my first professional appearance.
After the debut, that was the point where I started to get some games, and the following summer I had the opportunity to sign for Liverpool. Obviously, this was a massive dream come true, something I never imagined would come true growing up in South East London. It all started great for me when I first joined, I started playing some games and made my debut in the Premier League playing for Liverpool away at Stoke, a day I’d never forget. My family and friends were there so it made it even more special for me. Then I went through a rough patch, when I got injured playing for England. It wasn’t easy and I’d definitely say it’s been one of the toughest moments in my life, but it’s moulded me into who I am today and I wouldn’t change it looking back.
"I want to be the best I can be, I want to keep learning and pushing myself each day."
What are your aspirations for the future?
My aspirations for the future – I want to be the best I can be, I want to keep learning and pushing myself each day. A dream of mine is to represent my country at the World Cup.
What message would you give to young aspiring footballers?
For any young aspiring footballers like myself, I’d say hard work is definitely the key. Everyone’s journey moves at a different pace, but the main thing is to embrace each part of it and remember where it is you want to get to. Stay focused, remember your goals and just enjoy it.
Joe Gomez wears the Nike Tiempo Legend VII – crafted from premium leather for exceptional touch and available now from nike.com.
