Marlon Gomes discusses career goals and Vasco da Gama roots

Marlon Gomes, the 22-year-old midfielder playing for Shakhtar Donetsk, has discussed his professional ambitions and his ongoing connection to his former club, Vasco da Gama. Since transferring to Ukraine, Gomes has had to adapt to a new culture and the challenges posed by the ongoing war in the region.

Gomes aims to use his time at Shakhtar as a stepping stone to reach major European leagues, such as the Premier League or LaLiga, and eventually earn a spot on the Brazilian national team. He noted that while interest from clubs like RB Leipzig surfaced in 2025, those negotiations did not progress.

Despite his international career, Gomes maintains a strong bond with Vasco da Gama and his former teammates. He specifically highlighted his close friendship with Andrey Santos, who currently plays for Manchester United, describing him as a brother. Gomes remains a supporter of the club that developed him, having played 46 official matches for Vasco before his 12-million-euro transfer in 2024.