England vs Italy is ‘life changing’ for players, says Alan Shearer before Euro 2020 final
England meet Italy tonight at Wembley in the final of the European Championship
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Alan Shearer described the Euro 2020 final as a “life changing” opportunity for England’s players, one that he says previous generations couldn’t take.
England meet Italy tonight at Wembley in the final of the European Championship as the Three Lions aim to finally win a major tournament, 55 years after their first in 1966.
Speaking on the BBC before kick-off, Shearer, who scored 30 goals for England and scored in the Euro 96 semi-final defeat by Germany in which current manager Gareth Southgate famously missed a penalty, referred to the missed chances in the intervening years.
"There are 330 caps here between us [presenter Gary Lineker, plus Shearer and his fellow pundits Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard], we’ve got 110 goals, you [Lineker] had a Golden Boot, the best defender of his generation [Ferdinand], the best midfielder of his generation [Frank Lampard], and we never won a thing.
"We came close, all ifs buts and whys, but this England team tonight have the chance to be the England team that won a major tournament. It’s life changing, career changing, for these guys tonight. I’m so excited."
The country has unified behind the team and Shearer believes they have changed perceptions of football.
“England have actually restored a lot of people's faith in football because of the shenanigans that had gone on with the Premier League [Super League scandal], and a lot of people had fallen out of love with football. Over the past month these guys and the manager have made the people think again and feel how special football can be.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments