Prince Williams provides message to Kobbie Mainoo and England squad ahead of Euro 2024

Prince William addressed the England squad, including Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo, ahead of their trip to Germany for Euro 2024.

William, Prince of Wales, is the heir apparent to the British throne and president of the Football Association.

Gareth Southgate’s squad will aim to do better in this year’s European Championship after losing to Italy in the final in Wembley in 2021.

The England squad has some interesting additions this time around, with Southgate opting for form over history in many cases – a decision that was a major reason why Marcus Rashford was left out of the squad.

United starlet Kobbie Mainoo was included in the 26-man squad, and it will be his first international tournament. Luke Shaw is the only other player from Old Trafford in the squad as well.

The team arrived in Germany this week but met up at England’s base, St George’s Park, beforehand.

Prince William presented Mainoo and the rest of the team with special commemorative packages that included the history of their shirt number and their own footballing journey.

“As some of you know way better than anyone else in this room, tournament football is brutal,” William told the squad. “And it requires a lot more than you’ve already given.

“You’ve had a long season as it is, and we’re going to ask you to go again. It’s going to be difficult, it’s going to be fun, it’s going to be challenging, it’s going to be everything that you’ve ever dreamed of, you know, wearing that England shirt.

“I think the biggest thing I’ve learned from coming and seeing you guys over the years and every England dressing room I’ve been into is the togetherness, and I get that. You know, what Gareth has instilled in all of you over the years, I really feel you’re a unit. You fight for each other, you play for each other, and you really care about putting that shirt on.

“You guys have got all the talent in the world, you’re a great squad, but talent alone won’t win us the tournament. And so, whatever you can do, draw on those experiences in other parts of your life, growing up, other inspirations, other people, family members, whatever it is, because you never know when you might need it in a tournament.

“I just want you guys to know how much it means to everyone back here that you go out there, give it your all, play for the shirt, play for each other, play for the country because everyone’s behind you.”