Tomás Ángel, Juan Pablo’s son: “My old man used to play with Aimar and Saviola, he’s crazy”

Thomas Angelo he doesn’t need to introduce himself or show his name on his shirt to make himself known – he’s literally just like his father Juan Pablo, that striker who dazzled River in the end is from the 90s. There is no way to confuse him because the features and even the way of speaking are similar to his father’s. But he plays differently, beyond the fact that he has a 9 on his back and is a goalscorer. “I like to connect with forwards, I have that characteristic”loose.

Tomás is not tired or upset of being asked about his father or being compared to him. “I knew it would go like this, especially in Argentina where he left a legacy. I’m lucky to have a dad like that: for me he’s a guide because he was a great player. At home we always talk about football and that helps me to stay focused. But I’m clear that he made his career and I’m making mine. So I only have the surname of Juan Pablo”the 20-year-old Colombian declared with a laugh.

Tomás had to be left out of the South American game in his country and that was a huge blow. He continued to work hard. He started having minutes at Atlético Nacional, the same club where his father started. His good performances allowed him to be called up to play the Sub 20 World Cup.

And the opportunity was not wasted: accumulate three goals in 200 minutes played. More: together with Óscar Cortes -4 celebrations-, they constitute the best striker of the tournament. “We’re fine, concentrated, we play with courage. And there’s a very healthy internal competition in the group that raises the level. There’s a team to fight for the title, but we have to go step by step, stage by stage. We didn’t come just to get through the group stage”said Angelo.

A couple of days ago the left-handed scorer referred to the possibility of moving to River. Quickly, fans took to their networks to make their wish. “I said about River and my social networks were full of messages. However, I must say that I am focused on the World Cup and that I am also very happy at Atlético Nacional. I would like to leave my mark on my club. What comes next will be seen “he clarified.

Ángel also highlighted South American football. “There are those who despise South American football a little and we are demonstrating it here in this World Cup. I think we all share a good physical condition and we also play with our hearts. We never show tiredness and we want to go forward under all circumstances”he has declared.

The Colombian striker was born in Birmingham, England on February 20, 2003, to his father, Juan Pablo Ángel, who was an Aston Villa player. He lived there until 2007, when he moved to the United States and remained there until 2013. At the age of 10, he settled in Colombia and started playing for Atlético Nacional’s youth team.

“What do you know about your father’s move to River?”he consulted clarion. “It’s clear that I couldn’t live it because I wasn’t born. But every now and then I watch videos and they’re crazy. Playing with Aimar and Saviola, how crazy. Here in Argentina, football is lived with such passion”replied the coffee marker.