INSPIRATIONAL Wolves star Joao Gomes has opened up on how he has overcome his stammer.
The 23-year-old has previously spoken about the impact his speech impediment has had on his life, revealing how he missed out on things in his life through “fear”.
However, the Brazilian has refused to let it hold him back.
In a documentary with Wolves‘ club media, Gomes has now revealed what it is has been like to live with, and how it left him feeling “inferior”.
He said: “It used to be something that saddened me and kind of blocked me, you know?
“I’ve always wanted to express myself but I felt stuck and inferior.
“Nowadays, I’m much more at peace with it and accept myself a lot more so I have more determination to speak out and express myself.
“I obviously take longer to communicate but that’s something people have to respect.”
Gomes joined the Molineux outfit in January 2023 on a five-and-a-half-year deal after completing a £15million transfer from boyhood club Flamengo.
Since then he has become a key part of the engine room under Gary O’Neil, having made 45 league appearances and scored three goals.
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His club exploits also earned him his debut in the Brazil national team in March this year, before he was named in their Copa America squad.
At the tournament, Gomes was trusted to start in all four of their matches as they crashed out to Uruguay on penalties at the quarter-final stage.
In the new doc about Gomes, titled The Pitbull, he also heaped praise on boss O’Neil for helping him to adapt to England and for getting the best out of him.
He said: “Gary has always been very understanding. Because he knows I left Brazil to come here and it’s a different country, a different culture, another way of playing.
“He gave me a lot of confidence and he made me see that I can be a key player, not just someone people will forget about in two years’ time, but rather someone who can be remembered forever.
“Let me tell you, he is the kind of guy who does everything for us, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help him.
“He worries a lot more about me than people from my own family, you know? The bond I have with him is great.”
Wolves face a tricky away test at Arsenal to start their Premier League season.
Their first pre-season game comes against West Ham on July 27 in Jacksonville, FL, USA before they face Crystal Palace four days later.
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