Kyle Walker admits Euro 2024 rival has impressed him over England profession resolution
Kyle Walker might be heading towards the twilight of his career at the age of 34.
But the man himself is having none of it. In fact, Walker is taking inspiration from someone who makes him look like a spring chicken, in a bid to extend his own career as long as possible.
The England star sat down to watch Portugal’s win over Czechia at Euro 2024, and witnesses Pepe roll back the years at the ripe old age of 41. Walker might have won 84 caps since his international debut back in 2011. But he still treasures each time he plays for England – and doesn’t want those feelings to ever stop.
READ MORE: England fans allowed stronger beer in their seats for Denmark game – as a thank you
READ MORE: Alan Shearer slams Man Utd’s ‘mess’ and says they lack respect over Erik ten Hag
Walker said: “Of course I want to go as far as I can. To represent my country as many times as I have done, I never thought I would represent the country once, so to do it the amount of time I have is a credit to myself.
“I look at Pepe and he is 41 and still playing for Portugal. So, they’re the levels people are setting now, the likes of Luka Modric, people like that. These are people carrying on for top teams, at a top level, for a considerable amount of time. If they can do it, why can’t I?”
(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
Learn more
With a World Cup in 2026 on the horizon, Walker has something significant to aim for and keep him going. Twice Gareth Southgate has talked him out of international retirement and Walker said: “I feel as long as you’re putting the performances in for your club, which then gets you into the England fold – I’m in contention.
“I still feel great. A lot of people do bang on about my age, but age is just a number to me. I still feel quick, I still feel strong, I still feel young. And even at my age, I still want to learn.
“I feel the game’s adapting all the time, and with the youngsters that are coming in, they’re showing me different things I can learn from and different techniques. Every day is a learning day, never mind if you’re 34 like me, or 19 like Kobbie (Mainoo)”.
Walker, meanwhile, admits he’s put himself in a bubble in the England camp, in a bid to focus on the challenge of helping Southgate’s men conquer Europe this summer. This includes staying off social media and not reading or listening to anything that is written or said about him and the team.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
He added: “I very rarely read the media and what things are said, I concentrate on what’s in this camp. What the manager says and what the people around me and team-mates are saying.
“I don’t have anything (social media). I don’t look at anything. I feel when you concentrate not on two games or three games time, but just one game at a time, that’s when you get the best out of each other.
“When you start listening to outside noise, or good press and bad press, it affects different people in different ways. If you were to write good things or bad things about me, if I don’t read it then I don’t react.
“I approach a game to go and win the game at all costs, and that’s all I care about really.”
