Llorenç Gómez announces a conscious return to beach soccer from 2026, guided by meaning, balance and respect for the game.
Llorenç Gómez is returning to beach soccer, but not in the way comebacks are usually told. This is not a nostalgic return to the past, nor a decision driven by routine or external expectations. It is a deliberate choice, shaped by maturity, self-awareness and a deep respect for both the sport and himself.
Set to begin in 2026, Gómez’s return is rooted in alignment between body and mind, project and energy, purpose and timing. For one of beach soccer’s most recognisable figures, the decision comes not from unfinished business, but from reconciliation with the game, with his journey, and with the reality shaped by years of elite competition.
After a career defined by titles, global recognition and an intense bond with beach soccer, injuries ultimately brought his playing chapter to a close. It was a forced ending, one that required time, patience and acceptance.
“Injuries were the reason I retired. For a long time, I had to learn to live with them, to listen to them and respect them. Today I don’t come back denying them. I come back having learned to live with them.”
– Llorenç Gómez
That learning has changed everything. Gómez is clear that this return will not follow the traditional logic of constant competition or relentless schedules. He will step onto the sand only when his presence is honest and meaningful, when he can truly contribute through experience, emotion and commitment, without betraying his body or his values.
“Coming back doesn’t mean always being there. It means knowing when to be there. Choosing each moment, every context, very carefully. I’ll be there when the project, the team and I are truly aligned.”
– Llorenç Gómez
At the heart of the decision is enjoyment, the same feeling that connected him to beach soccer from the very beginning. What has changed is the perspective. The game is no longer lived through constant pressure or unchecked demands, but through freedom, self-care and a more conscious relationship with performance and wellbeing.
This return also naturally coexists with Gómez’s current role as a coach, leader and mentor. His commitment to building long-term projects, guiding players and shaping environments remains unchanged. In fact, he views stepping back onto the sand as another way to lead.
At Genova Beach Soccer, this dual role fits seamlessly into a broader vision based on values, identity and human development. Gómez’s presence as a player is not about filling a traditional competitive role, but about leadership from within, strengthening cohesion, culture and a shared sense of belonging.
His recent departure from the Danish national team followed the same principles of honesty and coherence. With responsibilities expanding and a long-term vision taking shape, Gómez recognised that national-team football demands a level of commitment that no longer aligned with his current phase. The separation came with mutual respect and clarity.
As for a potential return to the Spanish national team as a player, the door remains open.
If, at any point, the national setup believes his profile can genuinely contribute, Gómez would approach that challenge with the seriousness, respect and dedication it deserves.
This return is not about recreating what once was. It is about honouring the game from a more conscious, human place. Returning after learning to live with the wounds is not weakness, it is maturity.
And when someone returns like that, the sand feels it. So do those who love the game.
Photo credit: Enzo10, BSWW
