Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo is eager to be chosen by England for Euro 2024 and has shared his admiration for Brazil legend Ronaldinho.
The Three Lions will play against Brazil on Saturday in a friendly as they prepare for major tournament action this summer and Mainoo could be ready for his first England cap.
The 18-year-old, who has broken into the Manchester United first team this season, wasn’t originally selected in Gareth Southgate’s 25-man squad for the March fixtures.
But Southgate seemed to change his mind on Tuesday, with Mainoo was moved up to the senior squad from the U21s even though there were no dropouts or injuries.
Mainoo has been talking to the media before England’s match against Brazil and said: ‘It’s been a pretty crazy couple of days. Coming here and realizing that I was with the first-team was amazing. I was surprised and happy – and it’s been a mix of emotions.
‘But being with England is an incredible opportunity and I’m enjoying it so far. I think that’s the ultimate goal for the season, to get into that squad [for the Euros].
‘It’d be a privilege to be able to make the plane. I mean, there’s a lot of time between now and then. But I think if I go back to my club and perform well and do what I need to do, then hopefully it’ll all come together.
‘Both [my] parents are Ghanaian and my whole childhood was football, really. It’s just been football, football, football and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.
‘I loved watching [Wayne] Rooney. Paul Scholes as well and King Eric [Cantona]. It was a bit before my time, but I still appreciate it.
‘Of course, as a kid you always dream of playing for England. But at the time I was just taking it game by game.
‘I called my family, called my dad immediately [after the call-up] and then called my mum and my sisters too, and my brother. They’re all excited.
‘I don’t think it sunk in too quickly, like it did for me. But I got a few messages after it, after I called them when it had sunk in. They were obviously excited.
‘Brazil is such a legendary team, and to play against them would be incredible. Ronaldinho played with a smile on his face, and he played freely, didn’t he? I think everyone loves Ronaldinho. How can you not?’
