England stars have shared a series of cute throwback pictures of themselves as football-mad kids after their World Cup dreams became reality.
The likes of Mason Mount, Harry Kane and James Maddison have all posted images of their younger selves decked out in England gear. The stars released the pictures after being named in Gareth Southgate 's squad for the upcoming tournament, which kicks off a week on Sunday.
Many of the players named in Southgate's squad took part in releasing the images of themselves. Mount posted a photo of his seven-year-old self from around the time of the 2006 World Cup, sitting on a set of steps with a red England shirt and a face painted in the flag of his home country.
"Looking back at 7 year old me, sat on the stairs on holiday with my oversized England kit and St George’s face paint... Watching the 2006 World Cup, I could only ever dream of one day having the honour to play even a small part in one," he wrote as the caption.
"Now that day has come and what an incredible feeling this is… I think back to the hours of sacrifice my family, friends and coaches all put in for me, and how I wouldn't be here without them. We want to make our country proud and bring it home. Come on England!!"
Manchester City star Jack Grealish meanwhile released a short video of himself with a mix of images of his younger self decked out in England gear and clips of him playing for the Three Lions.
HAVE YOUR SAY! How far will England go at the World Cup? Comment below.
"Dream come true. I’m just a kid from Solihull who’s going to a World Cup with England. I remember going into school early to watch England vs Brazil in 2002, my first ever World Cup I can remember… to think 20 years later I’d be playing at one blows my mind," he wrote.
"It’s always an honour to pull on the England shirt and it’s a privilege to be going out there representing you all watching back home. Can’t wait to meet up with the boys on Monday. Hopefully together we can make you all proud again. Come on England!"
Maddison looks totally unrecognisable in the picture he shared of himself, with a short haircut and his face painted as an England flag. He added a caption of: "It hasn’t sunk in… I’m going to The World Cup. Dreams really do come true."
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka released a video of highlights of his time playing for England, with an old photo also resurfacing of him sitting in a team photo dressed in Gunners' kit. He wrote: "My childhood dream to play in a World Cup has come true" Qatar 2022. Let’s go England."
Raheem Sterling will be going to his third World Cup with England this winter and he has bee pictured as a child lifting a trophy. An old photo of Eric Dier has also emerged, with the defender appearing as a toddler and holding a football.
