Tottenham defender Eric Dier has opened up on one of the "worst moments" of his career ahead of England's World Cup opener against Iran.
Gareth Southgate's side face Carlos Queiroz's men at the Khalifa International Stadium on Monday afternoon. Dier, who has been training in Qatar with his Three Lions teammates for nearly a week, was part of the Euro 2016 and 2018 World Cup squads, but poor form saw the 28-year-old miss last summer’s run to the Euros final.
But an upturn in fortunes saw him end a 22-month period in the international wilderness in September, with Dier starting both Nations League matches.
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“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think that (my England career was over) was a possibility,” he said. “Obviously those thoughts go through your mind.
“When I missed out on the Euros squad, obviously one of the worst moments for me in my career. But I always say when I say that I must have had a pretty good career if that’s one of the worst moments.
“I’m just grateful to be here now. It was good for me in many ways. It propelled me to play, for me, the best football I’ve played in my career.
“So, there’s always the positives to look from it but obviously those thoughts crossed my mind and you see with other players (they do not come back). I’m very proud of myself, how I managed to fight my way back in.”
Dier, who could start for England on Monday afternoon with Kyle Walker still returning to full fitness, also insisted fans should be able to enjoy the World Cup despite the last-minute alcohol ban in stadiums. FIFA confirmed on Friday it had pulled plans to sell Budweiser – the tournament’s official beer – within the stadium perimeters.
“Personally, I’d like to think that you can enjoy yourself with or without alcohol first and foremost,” Dier said. “For me that’s important.
“I think Aaron Ramsdale replied very well yesterday – it’s up to us on the pitch to bring the entertainment. I feel that in any football game I play the entertainment comes from the style of the game, the type of the game that it is.
“It’s up to us as a team and every team in the tournament to bring great football, great football matches, exciting football. That’s what is going to create a great atmosphere in the stadiums.”
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