England take on Spain in the Euro 2024 final out in Berlin tonight, and the entire nation will be behind Gareth Southgate and his players.
Declan Rice, who left West Ham to join Arsenal in a £105 million deal in the summer of 2023, will play a key role for the Three Lions out in Germany this evening.
The 25-year-old powerhouse midfielder came through the ranks at the London Stadium, and was mentored by current Hammers sporting director Mark Noble.
The two are very close indeed, after forging an incredibly tight relationship during their time together at West Ham.
Rice owes a lot to the Hammers, and Noble of course, for helping him become the player and man he is today.
There is no love lost between large sections of West Ham fans and the Arsenal midfielder, but tonight, every single Hammer will undoubtedly be right behind him – the English ones at least!
Noble has made it very clear just how much he’s behind his former teammate tonight…
Noble sends Rice message ahead of Spain vs England Euro 2024 final
The former Hammers skipper has raved about Dec since he first burst onto the scene at the London Stadium six years ago.
West Ham United's Declan Rice hands over the captains armband to Mark Noble during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester ...
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Nobes sent a heartwarming message to Dec tonight ahead of the huge Spain vs England Euro 2024 final out in Berlin, via an advert for Adidas.
Noble said, “Declan Rice, I’ve said from day one, you’re a special person, a special man. People talk about pressure, do you remember what I first said to you when you first started playing? It’s the same size ball, the same colour grass, the same size goals. I have always said to you, be Declan Rice. There is no need to be anyone else because the Declan Rice I know is one of the best footballers on the planet. Just enjoy every second my friend. You are a true inspiration to millions and millions around the world. You’ve got this mate.”
Now, whilst many Hammers fans have beef with Declan, following his 2023 move to Arsenal, Noble’s message will be sure to evoke emotion from every single England fan on the planet.
Football rivalry and tribalism within the UK is what makes English football so appealing to the worldwide audience.
Without it, the product wouldn’t be as popular as it is. So some of the West Ham fans’ anger aimed at Rice is totally justified.
However, tonight will be a different story. Every single England fan around the world will unite in their support of Dec, as Southgate’s men take to the pitch in Germany.
The Spain vs England Euro 2024 final could well be Declan Rice’s time to shine, and Mark Noble’s words will undoubtedly put some fire in the Arsenal man’s belly ahead of kick-off tonight.
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