"You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit - it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. If you know what you’re worth - then go out and get what you’re worth."
That may be an extract from a Rocky movie, but those words encapsulate the rags-to-riches rise of Callum Wilson. Just over one week ago, the Newcastle United No 9 realised a career-long dream by earning a place in England’s World Cup squad.
Earlier this year, his prospects seemed a million miles away. Sidelined with a torn calf, Wilson watched from afar as the Magpies surged up the Premier League table towards survival.
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Two goals at the backend of the campaign reminded everyone about the 30-year-old’s talents but, backed by the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, links with a new striker were inevitable.
Despite possessing a bottomless pit, Eddie Howe stuck by Wilson - who served him so well during their time together at Bournemouth. His faith has been repaid tenfold with six goals in 11 top-flight games firing Newcastle up into third position ahead of the World Cup break.
An England call-up beckoned.
For months, speculation surrounded Wilson and whether he should board the plane to Qatar. Upon arrival at United in September 2020, he made his Three Lions ambitions clear.
“I understand in the Championship you are not going to be able to remain in the international squad," Wilson said in his first interview on Tyneside. “But I use things as a motivation and it was a case of getting to a Premier League team, hit the ground running here at Newcastle, and get the attention of the England manager."
No international football for three years made his journey to the Middle East an uphill task as injuries had halted his England dream. Nobody could question Wilson’s ability to score goals but the treatment table - at Newcastle and beforehand - has always been his kryptonite. For context, the striker has missed 37 per cent of the Magpies’ top-flight fixtures since signing for the club.
However, cometh the hour, cometh the man. In front of Gareth Southgate at a jam-packed St James’ Park, Wilson stepped up with a match-winning performance, scoring two goals and setting up another against Aston Villa, to cement his spot in the World Cup squad. Performing when it mattered? When the England manager was watching? That is a simple task for someone who tackles adversity head-on.
“I've played in non-league, on loan at Kettering Town,” Wilson told BBC Sport. “(I’ve had) two ACL injuries, an Achilles injury... so there's been ups and downs. But to get to where you want to be in life, it's never a straight road.
“You're always gonna have bumps and obstacles you’ve got to overcome. For me, I first got back into the squad after the last World Cup. The Euros, unfortunately, I didn't get to be a part of but it built more hunger for myself and then that has led to me getting here. It only comes from hard work and self-belief - having a goal you know that you are striving towards.”
In a world where displaying a stiff upper lip appears a dying art, Wilson never once shirked the challenge or acted the victim when life grabbed him by the cojones. Newcastle supporters can be proud that their number nine is representing England at the World Cup. Few characters in the 26-man squad have endured the struggle it has taken to reach the grandest stage of all.
Like Rocky Balboa, who became an unlikely hero when drafted in to fight the great Apollo Creed, Wilson - a man who kept moving forward despite taking several hits - has a golden chance to set the world alight in front of a global audience. In spirit true to his character, Wilson is relishing the challenge. There is zero chance that the Toon talisman will be like a rabbit in the headlights if called upon.
“It's amazing (to be back in the squad),” he added. “You meet up with the boys but it's just like you have never left, really. Three years have gone by so quickly… so many familiar faces are still here. Everyone is so happy for me to be back again. I'm buzzing to be here and add my attributes and strengths to the squad.”
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