'I had Rooney, Gerrard, Owen, all on the back of shirts as a kid, dreaming that one day I’d have my name on the back. Then I did.' Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison recounts living out England dream

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JUNE 3: James Maddison of England applauds the fans after the international friendly match between England and Bosnia & Herzegovina at St James' Park on June 3, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images).

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison was forced to watch England from afar once again in March.

Sadly, it’s something the creative spark has become all too accustomed to, with a player of his talent probably deserving more than the seven caps he has to his name.

It’s a trend that may not change any time soon, though, following his ACL injury back in pre-season, from which he is still recovering, which has kept him out since August and looks like squandering his World Cup chances.

Maddison recalls England debut and injury frustration

It’s unquestionably a frustrating situation for the 29-year-old, but that doesn’t dampen the memory of his dream-fulfilling debut back in 2019.

The Three Lions were playing Montenegro in a Euro 2020 qualifier and in a comfortable lead when Gareth Southgate finally gave Maddison his chance, replacing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain just shy of the hour mark.

The midfielder made his England debut in 2019 (Image credit: Getty Images)

“I’d been in a few camps and not played, been an unused sub a few times,” Maddison tells FourFourTwo. “Gareth was reluctant to put me on for whatever reason.

“We were 5-0 up against Montenegro though, very comfortable, and he just said, ‘Madders, get ready, you’re coming on.’

“There was just a moment of thinking, ‘Wow, I’m actually going to play for England here.’ It was amazing.”

Two more goals followed, with captain Harry Kane netting a hat-trick in the 7-0 win, having spent less than an hour on the pitch.

That may have been a routine day in the office for the striker, but for Maddison, the game had been a dream realised.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made way for Maddison's international debut (Image credit: Getty Images)

“I always wanted to play in the Premier League, to play for England, and I’ve achieved both,” he said.

“Just putting the shirt on, seeing your name on the back of an official England shirt, it’s literally what you dream of as a kid.

“Back then, I had Rooney, Gerrard, Owen, all on the back of shirts, dreaming that one day I’d have my name on the back. Then I did.”

Maddison has certainly experienced the frustration that injury brings in elite sport, but don’t rule him out of adding more caps to his CV before he hangs up his boots.