Kyle Walker made an inspirational pre-match speech to his Treble-winning team-mates even though he was dropped from the starting line-up on the biggest night of Manchester City’s history.
The England international, who came on for the closing stages to help get City over the line in the Champions League final win over Inter Milan, said: “Being a leader, I am always going to be disappointed when not playing but I am 33 now and I set an example for the younger lads.
“I made a speech before they went out. I was true to my word and emotional but this club means so much to me.
“To experience what I have experienced in football I will forever be in debt to it.
“I said ‘my dream is now in your hands – no pressure!’
“We couldn’t work as hard as we did all season to throw it away. The lads dug deep. I got a silver medal last time [when we lost to Chelsea two years ago], so to have a gold one is fantastic.”
Embed from Getty ImagesWalker also paid tribute to his family as he continued his emotional reaction to City’s history-making achievements.
He added: “Listen , I am living the dream. My mum and dad were in the stands. Where I come from in Sheffield it’s not easy for them to be here. I remember when mum didn’t have a pound for the ice cream van. I am so thankful.
“I am over the moon and very rarely speechless but my dream has just come true. To achieve this with this club, after everything they have done for all of us over the years, to win the Treble is unbelievable.”
Walker departed with a warning to England manager Gareth Southgate that he might not be at his best for Friday’s Euro qualifier in Malta, following City’s celebrations.
Asked what he would be drinking to celebrate, he smiled: “Anything in front of me! Gareth, I am sorry. Anything in front of me I am going to destroy it.”
