The story of Toti Gomes is a fascinating journey of transformation and perseverance. As a child, Toti was deeply immersed in rugby, showing promise as a young player. In fact, he was part of a rugby team in Lisbon at the tender age of six.
However, his path took a significant turn when he shifted his focus to football. Starting his football career at 16, Toti faced early struggles. Initially playing as a striker, a position that didn’t quite match his strengths, he found it challenging to showcase his true potential. Despite these early hurdles, Toti’s story is one of resilience and determination, as he navigated the transition from rugby to football and worked tirelessly to make his mark in the sport.
In a nutshell, our biography of Toti Gomes delves deep into more than just his career highlights. It explores his early life, childhood, and family background, shedding light on his Guinea-Bissau roots. You’ll learn about his parents, Mr. Gomes and Mrs. Gomes, his siblings, and his personal life, including his relationship with his daughter, Khara Gomes. Now, let’s dive into the heart of Toti Gomes’ story.
A Look at Toti Gomes’ Life from Childhood: From Rugby to Football Success
Preamble:
Our Toti Gomes biography kicks off by exploring the key events from his formative years. We’ll delve into his Portuguese heritage and early career highlights before detailing how this centre-back transitioned from his boyhood to achieve a remarkable rise in the English Premier League.
We aim to spark your interest as you dive into Toti Gomes’s story. To start, enjoy this photo gallery that captures his early years and his journey to success in the EPL. From his beginnings at Estoril to his notable career milestones, Toti Gomes has certainly made significant strides in football.
Behold Toti Gomes’s Biography- from the former rugby athlete to a player in Wolverhampton. Images: CmJornal, Instagram, toti_gomes23
In the course of writing about Portuguese footballers, we noticed a knowledge deficit. Only a few fans have read Toti Gomes’s biography, which is quite interesting. Therefore, we have put together this piece of article for you. Let’s begin.
Toti Gomes Childhood Story:
For Biography starters, his full name is Tote António Toti Gomes. The centre-back was born on the 16th of January 1999 to his mother, Mrs Gomes, and his father, Mr Gomes, in Guinea-Bissau.
The footballer is likely the only child in his parent’s marriage. His birth was the beginning of an expanding family. Before we go further, we would love to show you Toti Gomes’s parents, who, without blinking an eyelid, gave their son a boost in his career.
Growing-up Years:
Toti Gomes, a talented footballer, has an intriguing childhood story that began in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Born in this vibrant nation, the young boy’s life took a significant turn when he was just three years old. His family decided to move to Portugal, seeking better opportunities and a new life.
Behold the Young Toti in his Childhood Period. Source: CmJornal
Young Gomes found himself in a different world in Portugal, far from his birthplace. But he quickly adapted to the new culture and language, showing an incredible ability to embrace change at an early age. Toti Gomes’s parents noticed his keen interest in sport.
Living in a country renowned for its football heritage, the African-born man was inspired by the passion for the sport that surrounded him. He would often be seen playing football with his friends in the local parks and streets. His dedication and love for the game were evident, and he spent countless hours practising and honing his skills.
Toti Gomes’s parents, recognizing his potential, encouraged him to pursue his passion for football. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new country and culture, his early years in Portugal laid the foundation for his future success in football.
Toti Gomes Early Life:
Since Toti Gomes’s childhood in his birthplace, Guinea Bissau, he was a very athletic child. He loved playing any sport he could – football, rugby (similar to Malo Gusto), tennis, you name it. Generally, he was a sports fanatic.
As a hyperactive child, sports were his way of using all that energy. Football, or any sport for that matter, was a recreational activity that the West African played with his friends in the school, park, or any other available space.
Since there is no record of Toti Gomes’s sibling, we can determine he is the only child. Hence, to overcome his loneliness at home, he was always kicking a ball- an oval, round or spherical-shaped ball. However, it was only when he moved to a football team that it became an interest to make a career out of it.
Toti Gomes and His Best Friend: A Tale of Friendship and Shared Dreams
Being an only child, it could have been lonely for him to play games by himself. Fortunately, this wasn’t the case for the young West African, Toti Gomes. He always had a friend by his side. Chiquinho was the one boy who consistently brought joy to Gomes’s heart.
The friendship between the two boys, Toti Gomes and Chiquinho, started when the Gomes family moved to the Lisbon district. They grew up together, attending the same school located just down the street. Remarkably, both the West African Toti Gomes and Chiquinho shared a passion for football, further strengthening their bond.
As the years passed, the friendship between the boys evolved beyond mere mutual affection. They pursued their dreams from different angles, yet remarkably, their paths converged once again. Continue reading to discover how this extraordinary journey unfolded.
Toti Gomes Family Background:
Moving from the shores of West Africa to Europe for greener pastures involves courage and determination. This summarizes how much Toti Gomes’s parents wanted a good life for their only child. It also shows how hardworking the couple are.
Toti Gomes’s father likely earned a modest income in Guinea-Bissau. However, he found it challenging to support his growing family. Despite this, he managed to save money for their relocation, demonstrating his commitment and foresight.
Meanwhile, while caring for her young son, Toti Gome’s mother supported her husband’s decision to relocate. As a meticulous woman, she likely played a key role in planning their move to Europe. Despite their limited means, the couple were united in their goal to offer the best possible life to their child.
Family Origin:
Toti Gomes hails from West Africa, specifically from Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau. It’s likely that Toti Gomes’s parents were also born in the same country. By birth, the footballer holds Guinea-Bissau citizenship, and after moving to Portugal with his family, he also acquired Portuguese nationality.
The Birthplace of the centre-back is in Guinea-Bissau. Image: Britannica.
Toti Gomes’ hometown, Bissau, has some exciting aspects. Although Portugal colonized Guinea-Bissau, making Portuguese the official language, the locals speak Creole. This reflects a unique blend of African and Portuguese cultures. Additionally, many of the islands in Guinea-Bissau are known for their matriarchal societies where women play a leading role in governing community activities and decisions.
Ethnicity:
Toti Gomes is from the Papel ethnic group, predominantly found in and around Bissau, the capital city of Guinea-Bissau. This is also where he was born. The Papel people are mostly known for their farming activities, engaging primarily in agriculture.
Toti Gomes Education:
Although Toti Gomes’s parents faced financial constraints, they wanted the best for their only child. The would-be footballer joined one of the local schools in the Lisbon district where he stays. After classes, he would always go to the field for sports activities.
Toti Gomes’s father put him in the Galiza Rugby School in Cascais. As for the time being, that was the sport his son was very active and heavily interested in. So the question is, how did he change from rugby to football, a completely different game? Keep reading!!!
Toti Gomes Biography – Football Story:
The Guinea-Bissau native began his early career in the game of Rugby in Lisbon district. According to the athlete, he chose that path because it had a team and serious training lessons compared to football. It became his first and only choice when he was seven years old.
See the aggressiveness with which the young rugby player exerts his energy. Picture: CdJornal
Little Toti was very fit, thanks to his hyperactive nature, which made him active in sports. Football, at this time, was just another recreational activity. Toti Gomes’s parents got his rugby outfits ready to make a name for himself on that field.
All the athlete wanted to do was make a name for himself in the sports he loved. And that is why he became a part of the team in Lisbon. Source: Cd Jornal
As per notes from an interview, Tote António “Toti” Gomes recalled that he wasn’t fortunate to join academies like his mates did. However, things changed when his mother and Father moved to another location in Portugal.
Road to Fame Story:
The new location Toti Gomes’s parents moved to had one thing that excited the former rugby player- a football training centre. It was like a dream come true for the Portuguese, and so without wasting time, he enrolled there at the age of 16.
In 2014, Toti became a Fontainhas Portuguese Lisbon Second Division member. The now footballer trained and sharpened his skills with them till 2016 before another coach found him. At this time, he was playing as a striker and winger, intending to secure goals.
However, the newbie’s position changes when he gets into Dramatico Cascais. After determining his physical characteristics, Gomes began his spot as a centre-back. But he spent just one season at this youth level before moving to Estoril under the 19 team. In the 2017/18 season, he made his debut in a match against Académico Viseu.
Reuniting with his best friend:
When the defender transferred to Estoril, he had the opportunity to play alongside Chiquinho, whose full name is Francisco Jorge Tavares Oliveira. It was truly delightful to witness two young boys who once shared the same dream on the streets now fulfilling it together. Remarkably, they were playing on the same team, albeit in different positions.
There will be future occasions when the Portuguese players will find themselves in the same club again. It’s almost surprising to consider that they might be more like brothers than just friends, given their close bond. Despite their limited time together, they make the most of it, staying in touch and enjoying every moment they have.
The Portuguese centre-back made remarkable progress in just one year and was sent to the Under 23 squad. Despite being a late bloomer, the footballer was going to heights with unstoppable speed. In the 20/21 season, at 21 years old, Gomes made it to the senior team on the 1st of July. Meanwhile, Toti Gomes’s friend, who was on a loan transfer, returned back to his parent club, Sporting Cp under 19 squad.
We can only imagine what would have become of the former striker if he had begun football at age 6. Nonetheless, it wasn’t a time to reminisce on old affairs but to go forward. What future awaits the Portuguese footballer of West African origins? Let’s keep reading!!!
Toti Gomes Biography – Rise to Fame Story:
The 2nd of September 2020 brought good tidings for the Portuguese left back in the 20/21 football year. The English Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers signed Toti to their team for over seven hundred thousand dollars. Among the arrivals were Fabio Silva (centre forward), Nelson Semedo (Right Back) and Vitinha (central midfield).
And once again, the two unbreakable friends made their arrival in Wolves. Chiquinho made an entry at the same time as his bosom companion in the Premier League. From making wishes when they were little boys to living the life they only saw on PlayStations. This fact makes people wonder if fate has somehow tied their destinies together.
Two days later, on the 4th of September 2020, during the loan transfer, he was sent to the European Super League in Grasshopper Club Zurich. Toti was recalled to his parent club after appearing in 50 games with the new team.
As a citizen of two nations, Gomes had the opportunity to represent either Portugal or Guinea Bissau. The left-back chose the former and joined the Portuguese team in 2019 at the under-20 level. On the 29th of May, 2023, he was part of the senior squad with players like Danilo Pereira, the Legendary Pepe, and Bruno Fernandes, competing in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
In an interview discussing his experience playing for Portugal, defender Toti Gomes expressed immense joy. He shared his awe at being alongside players he had previously only seen on PlayStations and television while in the dressing room. Gomes described his feelings as pure ecstasy.
Reflecting on his childhood, the athlete from Guinea-Bissau expressed gratitude for his journey and how far he has come. He highlighted the achievement of showcasing his talents alongside renowned footballers, a dream that seemed unattainable not so long ago. Furthermore, he noted that the aspirations he held for his football career a decade earlier were now becoming a reality.
At the time of writing Toti Gomes’s Biography, the centre-back is rated alongside Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea centre-backs). Despite starting his football career later than some, he is expected to gain significant attention soon. “The rest is history,” as they say.
Who is Toti Gomes’ Dating?
The Wolverhampton centre-back has come a long way in his career. Moving from the game of Rugby to making heads turn in football is remarkable. However, fans are curious to know who Toti Gomes’s girlfriend is.
At the time of writing Toti Gome’s Biography, after careful research into his public life, there was no sign of a woman. The Portuguese footballer likely doesn’t want to open that part of his life for discussion.
Toti Gomes Child:
Regarding his family, Toti Gomes has a daughter named Khyara. She is his only child. It’s not clear if she’s his biological kid, a foster child, or a friend’s child, but what’s evident is Toti Gomes’s deep affection for her. This is beautifully captured in a photo showing a special father-daughter moment between them.
Khyara is Toti Gomes’s Daughter, and they share a special moment. Photo: Instagram/toti_gomes23.
Personal Life:
The defensive powerhouse spends a healthy time with his daughter, Khyara. The father and girl look like two peas in a pod. He is executing his role as a proud girl dad. Toti also has a great dress sense. If you go through his Instagram, you will see he loves to put on great outfits. The centre-back could pursue a modelling job because of his fashion taste.
The Fashion sense of rugby is top-notch. One he even extends to his Daughter. Photos: Instagram_toti_gomes23.
Besides, the Portuguese player loves vacations after basking in the tedious schedule of football. Gomes has been to Greece, and the safari desert in Dubai, and chilling out on the pitch has become a habit.
The Former Dramatico Cascais Teammate spends his holidays in Dubai or Greece. Source: Instagram/toti_gomes23.
Toti is known for his amiable personality when not playing football, which is attributed to his Capricorn zodiac sign. This astrological sign is shared with notable footballers like David Silva, Declan Rice, and Daniel Carvajal.
Gomes’s journey from a modest background in Guinea-Bissau to a successful life in Portugal is remarkable. According to the NewYork Athletic, the Wolves defender revealed that ‘Everything changed so fast in his life’. To celebrate his hard work, he treated himself to two cars – a white BMW and another black vehicle, as a birthday present.
Toti Gomes Family Life:
The movement and growth of an individual comes generally from the family. And Totti Gomes’s family, so far in this bio, has been to the mountain and back for his success. Thus, the footballer’s life story would be incomplete without getting to know more about the household.
About Toti Gomes’s Father:
The head of the Gomes household is a very resilient and compassionate man. The West African-born father gave his back, baking and toiling for his family’s success. He saw many opportunities on the other side of the world and put all his strength into moving his family there.
RecordPt reveals that Toti Gomes’s father is a huge fan of FC Porto. That love also transferred to his only child and is most likely the reason why he supported his football dreams. Although he wasn’t athletic per se, he gave and made sure his son got his dreams with the little money he could afford.
Even after Toti Gomes’s father and his wife moved to Europe, they worked even harder to get the best for their only child. We would have been very excited to reveal the face of the self-sacrificing dad, but his life is kept private, so it is not available to the public.
About Toti Gomes’s Mother:
The Guinea-Bissau traditional woman is a virtuous and loving wife and a great mother to her child. She stood by her husband when he decided on a movement and helped him in his plans. With love and great insight, Toti Gomes’s mother helped realize a dream that turned out favourably well for her household.
As her child now has a daughter, she would be basking in the delight of being a grandmother and showering her love to little Khara. And we are sure that she is retiring to rest and spoil her granddaughter with love and affection.
About Toti Gomes’s Siblings:
A careful search reveals that the defender is most likely an only child. However, it could be that Toti Gomes decides to keep their identity private and let the world focus on his talents rather than his family.
Untold Facts:
We will learn more about the Portuguese footballer as we conclude Toti Gomes’s Biography. Let’s dive in.
Toti Gomes’s Salary:
According to Sofifa, the Wolverhampton Centre-back makes about 42 thousand dollars per week. That was a significant raise in his paycheck since his football career moved up. Toti’s teammates Joao Moutinho, Raul Jimenez, and Matheus Nunes receive much higher incomes.
Toti Gomes’s Religion:
The West African footballer might come from a religious family; however, he has chosen his path as an adult. The Portuguese may be spiritual but not affiliated with any church. So, we can conclude he is a Christian.
How rich is Toti Gomes?
There is a wide gap in payment slips when comparing the amount he gets paid to an average Guinea-Bissau salary earner. It would take someone in Totti Gomes’s hometown a lot of years to make what the footballer earns in a week.
Toti Gomes’s FIFA Profile:
The Portuguese defender has a clear score sheet in his acceleration, movement, and pitch strength. And one of his standouts is defence, which makes him hold down his team area very well. FIFA gives him a potential score of over 80 and a 73 per cent rating. Of course, there is always room for improvement.
FIFA gives the centre-back an overall score of 80 per cent. Image: SOFIFA.
EndNote:
Tote António “Toti” Gomes was born on January 16, 1999, in Guinea-Bissau to Mr. and Mrs. Gomes. Likely an only child, his family moved to Portugal when he was three, seeking a better life. Growing up in Portugal, Toti was a sports enthusiast, excelling in various sports, including football, rugby, and tennis.
Initially focused on rugby, he attended the Galiza Rugby School in Cascais. However, after Toti Gomes’s family left for a new location in Portugal, he shifted his focus to football at 16. He began with Fontainhas Second Division and later played for Dramatico Cascais, where he transitioned to playing as a centre-back.
Toti’s football career rapidly progressed. He joined Estoril under the 19 team, debuting in the 2017/18 season against Académico Viseu. His talent and hard work soon led him to the senior team, and at 21, he made his mark in the 20/21 season. On September 2, 2020, Gomes signed with the English Premier League team Wolverhampton Wanderers and was loaned to Grasshopper Club Zurich.
As a dual citizen of Portugal and Guinea-Bissau, Toti could represent either country. He chose Portugal, joining the under-20 team in 2019 and becoming part of the senior squad 2023 for the Euro 2024 qualifiers. In his life, the centre-back has no public romantic relationships. He is a father to a daughter named Khyara.
Appreciation:
Thank you for taking the time to read our account of Toti Gomes’s Biography. He is a footballer who loves to put his team first above everything else, as far as his career is concerned. Aside from our content on Toti Gomes’s Bio, we’ve got other interesting global football stories. The life story of Mario Lemina and Tijjani Reijnders would interest you.
We are committed to creating accurate and fair stories as we strive to share the histories of both Portuguese and African football players. Don’t hesitate to contact us via comment if you find anything that needs to be corrected in our article about Portugal’s talent.
