Dele Alli, the Everton midfielder, has expressed his determination to play at the 2026 World Cup with England, despite his recent struggles with injuries. Speaking in an emotional interview with Sky Sports, Dele revealed that he has a daily reminder on his phone at 11 o’clock, reminding him of his goal.
While some may doubt his ability to achieve this ambition, Dele remains resolute. “People will be like ‘he hasn’t played in a year’ but that’s my aim. I know where my level is,” he asserted. The 28-year-old has been out of action since February 2023 due to hip and groin injuries.
Dele’s journey back to full fitness has not been easy. He spent six weeks in rehab due to a sleeping pill addiction and mental health issues. In the interview with Gary Neville, Dele opened up about his childhood and revealed that he had been sexually abused when he was just six years old.
Despite the challenges he has faced, Dele remains positive and determined. “It has been tough and it’s a journey I am on. I am enjoying it,” he said. His interview resonated with many, and Dele expressed his satisfaction that it had helped others. “When I did it, I said if it helped one person I would be happy, and that is all I wanted from it. The support and reaction I got was overwhelming – I am definitely proud of it,” he added.
Dele’s last appearance came on loan at Besiktas in 2022, but his time there was cut short due to a hip injury. He is currently contracted to Everton until the end of the season and hopes to return to full training by then.
Looking ahead, Dele has set his sights on representing England once again. He was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup but has not played for his country since 2019. Despite the setbacks, Dele remains optimistic. “It has just been an injury issue – one that I am hopefully getting to the end of. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
The journey back from injury has been challenging for Dele, but he believes that it has also helped him grow as a person. He sees the pain of his injury as something he can channel when he returns to the pitch. With his determination and resilience, Dele Alli is on a path to overcome adversity and achieve his World Cup dream.