Dan Burn has been talking ahead of Saturday night’s England match against Norway.
The prize for the winners will be a place in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals.
The Newcastle United star is understandably still on cloud nine after his key contribution to the cause against Mexico, coming on with a 3-2 lead to protect for 30 minutes and England down to ten men.
Dan Burn having made his England World Cup finals debut at the age of 34.
The Big Lad From Blyth interviewed by the official FA site and asked whether playing for England (and winning!) at the World Cup has sunk in yet: “Probably not. That’s the same with a lot of things in my career. It won’t be until I’m retired and look back and can appreciate what’s happened. I’m buzzing that all my family were there to see it. It was amazing to play at my first World Cup at 34 and to get minutes. It’s one of those, no one will be able to take it away from me. It’s a nice feeling but there’s still a job to do. It’s a strange one because you want to celebrate the Mexico win because of how historic it was, but in four days’ time you have got Norway. We’re done with Mexico; now it’s time to focus on Norway.”
The Dan Burn story is an incredible one.
The Geordie defender not making it as a kid at Newcastle United, dropping into non-league, then making his way back through the various divisions before then playing in the Premier League.
Then the really momentous moment in January 2022, one of the many inspired Eddie Howe decisions in the transfer market when he signed Dan Burn from Brighton for £13m. The United boss ridiculed by the media for the transfer at the time, a soon to turn 30 defender who wasn’t even an automatic first choice at Brighton.
Dan Burn reflecting on his journey, where he came from and where he has ended up: “For any kid, when you grow up and watch football, for me my first memories were Newcastle and the 2002 World Cup was the first [World Cup]. I can remember and just thinking how good it would be to do that. I’ve managed to accomplish it, so I’m very proud. It’s crazy. It’s nice because there’s not a straight line to playing football and being successful in football. It hopefully gives kids a little bit of inspiration that you don’t have to go through the academy system to be a footballer or achieve what you want in football. There are lots of different ways to do it.”
Best of luck to Big Dan Burn and England on Saturday against Norway.