[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, after beating France, England’s players invited training goalkeeper Jason Sean Steele to join their third-place celebrations. They even made sure he received a bronze medal, even though he was not named in the World Cup squad. In one of the wildest matches in World Cup history, Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick, Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise made history, and Jude Bellingham became the first England player to score seven goals at a single World Cup tournament. Despite conceding four goals, Dean Henderson—who replaced Jordan Pickford between the posts—put on a brilliant display, while James Trafford watched on from the bench once again. Nevertheless, the most touching moment for fans came when Steele took part in the medal ceremony. Television footage showed the England squad stepping onto the podium to collect their bronze medals before collectively gesturing for someone to join them: that someone was training goalkeeper Steele. The 35-year-old Brighton backup goalkeeper had stayed with the England side throughout the entire tournament as a training keeper. Clearly well-respected by all 26 squad members, he was led up to the podium by Morgan Rogers and Bellingham. Steele happily accepted a medal from the injured Jordan Henderson.
As a fan, I’m genuinely delighted to see Jason Steele’s hard work get recognised. It’s such a classy gesture from England to make sure he was part of their medal celebrations.