James Maddison has backed England to win the Euro 2024 final against Spain after having missed out on selection for the tournament in Germany.
Maddison was called up to the Three Lions training squad for friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland last month after scoring four goals and adding nine assists in 30 matches during his debut campaign at Tottenham. However, after playing 29 minutes in the 3-0 win over Bosnia, Maddison was brutally cut from the squad ahead of the game against Iceland as Gareth Southgate named his final 26-man squad.
Following his snub from the England squad, Maddison decided to take some time away and went on holiday. He was pictured away with his close mates on Instagram before posting a photo of him beside a pool wearing a retro Spurs shirt with 'Gascoigne 8' on the back.
Now, Maddison has returned to England and is back training with his Tottenham team-mates as they begin their pre-season campaign. Despite the disappointment etched on Maddison after not being included in the squad for Euro 2024, he is backing the Three Lions to beat Spain and lift their first major trophy since 1966. England booked their place in the final after beating the Netherlands 2-1 on Wednesday.
The Tottenham media team asked Maddison and the rest of the squad who will win the Euro 2024 final on Sunday, to which the former Leicester midfielder replied: "England of course, it's coming home."
Timo Werner said: "Oh difficult. I think England." Pape Matae Sarr added: "England I think." Emerson Royal believes Spain will get over the line and win it, while Archie Gray is adamant the Three Lions will win 2-1.
Lucas Bergvall claimed: "I think England will win but it's going to be a tough game. Spain has been really good this Euros but I think in the end England will win."
After Maddison missed out on being included in the England squad last month, he posted a heartfelt message on Instagram displaying his sadness. He wrote: "Devastated doesn’t quite cut it. Trained well and worked hard all week but if I’m honest with myself, my form for Spurs when coming back from injury in the second half of the season probably wasn’t at the levels I had set which gave Gareth a decision to make.
"I still thought there would be a space for me in a 26-man squad as I feel I bring something different & had been a mainstay in this whole qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 in Germany but the manager has made the decision and I have to respect that. I’ll be back, I have no doubt. Wishing the boys all the luck in the world out in Germany, unbelievable group and lads that I literally call some of my best friends. I genuinely hope football comes home."