West Ham United winger Michail Antonio has been called up to the England squad and admitted he was emotional at hearing the news.
The former Nottingham Forest wideman was included in Sam Allardyce’s first squad as Three Lions boss and will be in contention to face Slovakia in the upcoming World Cup qualifier.
Antonio started slowly following a move to the London Stadium outfit last summer but got his chance and took it with both hands.
The gifted attacker has shown a goalscoring threat and exceptional pace, while he has also fitted in at right-back with Slaven Bilic short of options in the defensive role.
Antonio has admitted that representing his country is something he has dreamed of doing since he was a child and that he was thankful to get the call.
“I’m overwhelmed – I got slightly emotional when I found out,” he told the West Ham official website.
“It’s just one of those things that I’ve always dreamt of playing for England as a kid, so now for it to happen after I’ve worked my way from non-league to where I am now, I am just so happy.
“I don’t even know what to say – words can’t explain how happy I am!
“I just give my all every time I go on the field, so for me to called-up by England, I don’t know what to say! All I can do is go out there on the international stage and show there is a reason why the gaffer has called me up.”
Antonio played in a right wing-back role against Manchester City on Sunday and scored the Hammers’ goal in a 3-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
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