Willy Gnonto: I was too scared to talk to Messi
Even at the age of 21, Willy Gnonto has met many people in the game.
But you won't be too surprised to learn that there was one particular icon who made him too nervous to talk.
Lionel Messi of course. The two crossed paths at international level during the 2022 Finalissima between Italy and Argentina, when Gnonto was still a youngster training with the main squad.
“It was once with the national team,” the Leeds winger remembers. “We were playing at Wembley but I couldn't really talk to him because I was too scared! I couldn't move.
“I watch a lot of football and try to learn something new from everyone, whether it was from my father or from anyone in football.
“But Messi was my idol growing up. I would watch his videos every time and try to replicate what he was doing.”
When Nat Phillips Cruyff became Zlatan
“It's not like I was like, 'I'm going to do something to be a showboat here!' says Nat Phillips, the Liverpool defender currently on loan at Derby County.
By this he is of course referring to the well-known incident from 2021, when, as a no-nonsense defender, he thought it necessary to let Cruijff come out of his own box past Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was at AC Milan.
“I actually wanted to knock it out of the game. But out of the corner of my eye I saw Zlatan blocking me from the corner.
“I think he was trying to read that I had broken it, so naturally I quickly changed my mind. I rolled over it with my studs and turned to the side.
“Afterwards I could hear the reactions of my teammates and the stadium, so I know it must have looked beautiful.
“It wasn't until I saw the replays afterwards that I could really see it with my own eyes.”
How Grimes became Swansea's 'Mr Reliable'
Swansea's Matt Grimes says the way he was raised by his parents has helped him become the ultra-reliable player he is today.
The 29-year-old midfielder has made 324 appearances for the Swans since joining in January 2015, missing just four league games in the six seasons leading up to the 2024/2025 campaign.
“It's become a thing just because of the way I was raised; my mom and dad always wanted the best for me,” he says. “You can't go out on Saturday if you've just played or if you have a game on Tuesday.
“Anything that would hinder performance was discouraged and I have taken that into my life and how I live now. I won't do anything that puts me in a bad position or means I can't train or anything like that.
“If I play on Saturday and have another game on Tuesday, all I think is: I played on Saturday, now I have to play on Tuesday and then I have to do the next Saturday – and that's it.” just rolled into 336 games.
“It's just good living. The majority of footballers know what's good for your body and what's bad for your body, so do as many good things as you can and do as few bad things as you can.
“There are exceptions from time to time and everyone likes to let their hair down every now and then and that's completely normal. But if you're 90%, 95% perfect – not perfect, but living correctly – then you're not going to completely wrong.” By Dan Long
Bramall: My time at Arsenal was a whirlwind
Even now, almost ten years later, it still feels like it was all a dream for Cohen Bramall.
One minute he was playing in the Northern Premier League for Hednesford Town, the next he had left the seventh tier and was signed by Arsenal after a short trial period.
He was 20 and had gone from a job in a car factory before Christmas to training with Arsène Wenger in January.
“The first three months were difficult,” Bramall – who now plays for Rotherham United in League One – admits.
“I just couldn't believe it was happening, I'll be honest. I was talking to my grandmother about it the other day.
“It was just one of those things that happened so quickly. I didn't expect anything, especially from one of the biggest clubs in the world – after previous professional clubs had told me no, and not even from the top clubs.” .
“When I was offered the contract, I froze a little. It felt like I was somewhere else.”
Cadamarteri: I want to surpass my father's legacy
For fans of a certain vintage, the name Cadamarteri will ring a bell. But Bailey Cadamarteri, son of former Everton striker Danny, is carving his own path in the game.
“It does add a bit of pressure because obviously you're going to have people saying, 'oh, his dad's an ex-pro' and that's why he's here,” the 19-year-old said.
“But it's good to have that reputation because I like to prove people wrong. I prefer it. I wouldn't have it any other way.
“He's been to the places I want to go, so he's a big part of it, and the information and tips he can give me help me a lot.
“I was a bit too young to remember him playing in the Premier League. But I do remember little glimpses of the back end of his career before he had to retire due to injury.
“It's everyone's dream to represent your country and win the World Cup. But in the shorter term I would like to continue on with my father's legacy. He played in the Premier League and scored a few goals, so if I continue can go and do better than him, I think I did a good job.”
Wing: My non-league history keeps me grounded
Lewis Wing never takes his playing career for granted as he has made it through non-league.
“I worked at a shower company, where I basically packed up the showers and put them on a trolley,” the Reading midfielder recalls of his time before leaving Shildon for Middlesbrough.
“Two of my best friends worked there at the time, so it was like going to work with your friends – like it is now! But obviously a little harder.”
Wing, now 29, doesn't forget what it was like to join the pros late. It is a lesson he tries to pass on to the young people in the team.
“Obviously I've worked in the 'so-called' real world, so I know what it means to get into professional football,” he says.
“I want the young guys to grab it with both hands and realize this is the best job in the world, and you don't want to be on the other side of it.”
Aljofree: Cristiano Ronaldo once stepped into my ice bath!
Sonny Aljofree grew up in Manchester United's academy, and there is one experience that stands out more from his time on the Carrington training ground than any other.
A meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo.
“When he came back to United I was a bit older,” recalls 20-year-old Aljofree, currently on loan at Accrington in League Two. “I trained with him a few times.
“Then one time I was recovering in an ice bath and he came out of the sauna with Diogo Dalot and Casemiro and then got into the same ice bath as me.
“Then he would just sit there and talk to me, like he was asking me questions. It just shows that even though we all see him as some kind of god, he is still human and a great guy.”
Aljofree laughs when asked if he could talk back to such an icon of the game.
“You have to stay calm and talk to him!” he jokes. “I answered his questions, but also just stared at him. But we had a good conversation for 10 minutes and then he went back into the sauna!”
The Chesterfield striker who was once a Ballon d'Or candidate
It was 2016. A year with strange events. Little more so than Will Grigg, then of League One side Wigan and Northern Ireland, who became the most sung name on the continent during that summer's European Championship.
'Will Grigg's On Fire' is still played by football fans everywhere. It was a phenomenon. The striker even finished 25th on the Ballon d'Or list that year, level with Paul Pogba and Giorgio Chiellini. He finished ahead of Kevin De Bruyne and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“Things have definitely changed since then! But it's nice to still have these conversations,” says Grigg – now at Chesterfield in League Two – with a big grin.
“It seems quite bizarre when I look back. I'm 33 now and you don't really notice it when you're younger. I look at that phase where everything was incredible for me, both on and off the pitch. I was just focused.” on the football side and you don't necessarily have to take the rest with you.
“Now I enjoy it, but I try to soak up those moments. And I still hope I have three or four years left. I love the game and I'm going to get the most out of this as much as I can. ” .”
Cameron Evans: I got my Newport trial through LinkedIn!
Every player in the EFL has a unique story about how they came into the professional game.
Cameron Evans's is particularly fascinating.
“I got a trial period by messaging the club on LinkedIn!” the Newport County defender, who joined in the summer after leaving Taunton Town in the National League South.
“It's not common, but at that time I was always looking for ways and opportunities to get my name out there. I was told that there are many clubs, scouts and coaches on LinkedIn.
“I always kept my profile up to date and I had all my clips on there and I managed to get a trial in Newport. I was just buzzing to even get a response.
“I heard they were bringing in a lot of players. So I gave a message and said my contract is up, I'm looking at my options for next year and I would be very grateful for the opportunity to come over and train.”
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