Manchester United star Angel Gomes has told people to concentrate on ‘more important issues’ after a video of his visit to a pastor claiming resurfaced on social media.
Gomes’ future has been the subject of much speculation, with his current contract due to expire at the end of the month, but the United star has made headlines for a different reason this week.
Back in 2016, Gomes made a trip to see Nigerian pastor T.B. Joshua at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations in Lagos and video of his experience began to make rounds on Monday.
In one of the clips, Gomes then aged just 16, explained that persistent injury issues were the reason for his visit.
‘I’ve been struggling with injuries. I was having injuries around my hip and groin which was affecting me playing and I also suffered an ankle injury which was affecting me playing and kept me out for a long time,’ he said in the video.
‘These injuries were coming at hard times for me, times when I was having a breakthrough or times when I had to go to a tournament or play in games. These injuries would happen quite frequently.’
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On Tuesday morning, Gomes addressed the reaction to the videos and conceded the footage might look ‘crazy’ but said that he should be able to practice his faith however he wants to.
‘Regarding the video that has come out from 2016. I am from a Christian family at the time my mum was a fan of the pastor, and she really wanted me to go,’ Gomes tweeted.
‘I was going through some issues. ‘From the outside looking in it looks crazy, but I was just practicing my faith.’
He added: ‘I didn’t really need to explain myself but a lot of people was asking me what the video was about. ‘I was young at the time and if my parents thought something was best for me I would do it.
‘There are far more important issues out there in the world we can tackle. For example #FreeSchoolMeals #maketheUturn.’
Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright showed his support for the player as he responded to Gomes’ explanation. ‘Absolutely none of their business [love heart emoji],’ Wright replied.
