Mason Mount had even more cause for celebration after England kicked off their World Cup campaign with a dominant victory - as he met his niece for the first time in Qatar.
The Chelsea playmaker played 71 minutes and pulled the strings in midfield as the Three Lions thrashed Iran 6-2 on Monday. Adding to his delight shortly after full-time, Mount held Poppy, 3, in his arms.
His older sister, Stacey, lives in Australia and gave birth to his niece over three years ago, but the 23-year-old was unable to see that side of his family due to his jam-packed football schedule and the strict travel regulations implemented by the country during the coronavirus pandemic.
There was a happy reunion in Qatar at the start of the week, after Stacey travelled to the Middle East to see her brother in action for England and brought Poppy with her. Mount had a beaming smile on his face as he hugged the toddler, who was wearing a Three Lions shirt with her uncle's name on the back.
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate allowed his players to spend time with their families in the stands after the crushing win over Iran. Mount was thrilled to meet his niece and also high-fived other children as he was reunited with Stacey.
Stacey took to Instagram to share the happy pictures with the caption: "After 3 1/2 years, I got to see my little bro and Poppy meet her uncle Mason for the first time and what a day! I cannot even express what a proud big sister I am. All these years of hard work and dedication."
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Mount has racked up 34 appearances for England, scoring five goals, having made his debut in 2019. He played a key role as the Three Lions reached the final of Euro 2020 in the summer of 2021, where they were defeated by Italy on penalties.
The attacking midfielder excelled in the victory over Iran in England's opening game of the World Cup but, like many of his teammates, struggled in the bland 0-0 draw with United States on Friday night. Nonetheless, the Three Lions are in a strong position in Group B and will be confident of reaching the last 16 as they take on Wales on Tuesday.
Mount has been on Chelsea's books since 2005 and has amassed 181 appearances for his boyhood club, scoring 32 goals and winning the Champions League last year. He is a patron of the charity Together for Short Lives, which aims to provide "better quality of life and end of life for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions".
