Exclusive: Echo. Everton reporter Chris Beesley talks with Orel Mangala on how he came back stronger to become an international footballer after a horrific childhood accident. Every face tells a tale, and this is especially true for Everton’s Orel Mangala, who is competing in world football’s most difficult domestic championship despite a catastrophic automobile accident that nearly cost him much more than his ability to play the sport he loves. Anyone who looks at a snapshot of the Belgium international can see that he still wears the scars of a horrific incident from several decades ago, but when you’re up close to the midfielder and conversing with him, you don’t notice.
Mangala’s most distinguishing characteristic is his smile, which epitomizes his upbeat demeanor while simultaneously indicating the confidence that underpins a steely drive to succeed. After receiving permission from the 26-year-old to disclose his life-changing experience, the question is posed to him about what proved to be a critical step in his football career. Mangala told the ECHO, “When I was two years old, I was hit by a car.” “They said I wouldn’t be able to walk again.”I don’t remember much, but my father did tell me that they did training at home to teach me how to walk again.
Today, I can run in the Premier League again.” That character strength is exemplified by the player’s social media account, ‘Mangality’, which focuses on mindset and mentality with the purpose of inspiring others. Mangala explained: “It began when I was in Stuttgart with my hashtag ‘Mangality’; it’s all about my personality, as someone who never gives up. No matter how difficult things are, I never give up; I always look forward and think positively. “That is what I aim to deliver to my followers, as well as my family and friends. As a professional athlete, it is critical for people to seek motivation.
“I want people to see themselves in me since not everything in life is easy, and I want them to know that everything is achievable via my journey. No matter how difficult it is, you will eventually be able to obtain what you desire and deserve. Although Mangala, who was born in Brussels, began playing football for enjoyment, it was his father, a former amateur player in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who told him that he had what it takes to make it big. The midfielder adds that, like many football dads, Mangala senior is both his son’s biggest supporter and his worst critic at times, dishing out candid advise after each encounter.
Although he has yet to visit Goodison Park since Mangala completed his season-long loan move from Olympique Lyonnais on transfer deadline day, the hope is that he will make his first visit to ‘The Grand Old Lady’ next month, which is only fitting given the role he has played in encouraging his boy to reach the top. Mangala stated, “I’ve always enjoyed playing football, and my favorite players were Ronaldinho and Kaka, but the goal of becoming a professional began later. When I first started, all I wanted to do was play football with my buddies, but my father told me I could make it and said, ‘Professional, professional, professional.’
“I was a striker back then, and I scored a lot of goals. I signed for Anderlecht when I was seven, but after watching the first team on television, I began to consider becoming a professional footballer because I wanted to play in stadiums with people. “For me, fans are extremely crucial. The best example was during Covid; without supporters, it’s uninteresting, and I believe they make a difference. “It’s very important for us at Everton too, seeing them so passionate at Goodison Park and travelling to all the away games in great numbers, it gives us an edge.”
Mangala’s agent, Giovanni Bia, claimed Mangala had agreed to join Fiorentina until Lyon president John Textor, who was in pole position to acquire Farhad Moshiri’s Everton shares at the time before the Friedkin Group stepped in to seal a takeover deal, but the player himself insists he was always eager to return to England, especially now that the move has been approved by a couple of former Blues who are his international team-mates. Mangala stated, “The squad and staff have greeted me warmly, therefore it was quite easy for me to adjust. I also know a few players (he and Idrissa Gueye are common friends, and Jesper Lindstrom was an opponent in the Bundesliga).
“The idea of returning to the Premier League was an important aim. I’m thrilled to be able to return here.I chatted with Amadou (Onana) a few days before coming here, and he told me positive things about Everton. I already knew Everton was a big club, so I had a positive feeling. “He’s a nice guy, and he spoke to me before signing with Everton.” I know he enjoyed his time here and talked about the supporters, the club, and how everything was fine.
“I didn’t speak with Rom (Lukaku) before arriving because I knew he was preoccupied with his own move to Napoli and settling in, and I didn’t want to bother him. I’ve seen him while we were away with the national team, and he was really delighted; we’re extremely close, and he’s like a big brother to me.”
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