I'll use pain to gain Euros glory

Published date23 March 2024
Publication titleDaily Star (England)
The Three Lions will head to Euro 2024 in Germany as one of the strong favourites to win and Stones is determined that this time they achieve the ultimate goal

Three years ago, Stones was rocked by double disappointment.

He was part of the Manchester City team which lost the Champions League final to Chelsea in 2021 and then suffered as part of the Three Lions side that were beaten on penalties by Italy in the Euro final at Wembley a few weeks later.

He said: "It was a really difficult point for me, losing a Champions League final and losing that. It was difficult to take.

"I said to myself after that, that I never wanted to have that feeling again.

"And it's possible that I might, but my mindset is to make some history, and make one of my dreams come true.

"To get some silverware with England, and make everyone's dream come true in that respect."

Gareth Southgate's men have been knocking on the door at the last three major tournaments, having reached a World Cup semi-final and quarter-final, along with the final of that last Euros on home soil.

Now Stones believes England have the talent available to finally get their hands on what would be their first trophy since 1966.

Stones said: "In terms of our maturity and belief, we have just grown massively.

"We started at a difficult point in the earlier times, where the perception, or the feeling towards the national team wasn't great going into tournaments.

"We wanted everyone to love English football again. Wanted people to be proud of us when we go into tournaments. And we did that, I believe, in the 2018 Russia World Cup.

"And it's grown since then. I feel...

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