Supporter-turned-star Winks admits he’s living the dream

Chief Sports Writer @andydunnmirror

AS he sat in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, holding court before the Champions League final, Harry Winks probably had to pinch himself.

A fan and a player from five years of age, he is representing his beloved Spurs on the grandest club stage in football.

At Anfield, they like to use the phrase ‘This Means More’. And to a local lad like Trent AlexanderArnold – also on the podium in Madrid – that is surely true.

It certainly does for Winks.

Away from the flashbulbs of the final media function before kickoff, Winks could barely conceal his wonderment at the journey that has brought him here.

He said: “This is 10 times more special for me. To be part of a team that has got to the Champions League final with Tottenham is something, honestly, I would never have dreamt of doing. To have been a part of the team and to have played as many games as I have done in the Champions League, to be part of this amazing side and this incredible era for Tottenham, it’s a true privilege.

“I am humbled to have the opportunity to do that and if we can go all the way then we’ll make history and it will be fantastic.

“It is my club. I’ve known the club since I was five years old, it’s the only club I’ve ever played for. To be part of a Champions League final with Tottenham… it actually feels crazy to say it. It hasn’t really sunk in.”

But recognising the enormity of the situation, Winks has been working on making sure he is not affected by the sentiment of the evening.

After training with Dele Alli, he explained: “We’ve worked a lot in the last couple of weeks in dealing with the emotion of it all. Not getting carried away with it.

“Just treating it like any other game – but at the same point respecting the fact that it’s a Champions League final.”

Winks underwent groin surgery at the end of April and has not played since.

But there is a chance Mauricio Pochettino might start with the 23-year-old midfielder, who has declared himself 100 per cent ready now to tackle Liverpool.

Winks said: “I’ve had a good rehab and I’m feeling really good. It’s a positive vibe in the camp at the moment, everyone’s got a really good togetherness.

“I’ve seen what the manager has done to the club and how far he has taken everyone. Not only as players, but as people.

“The club is only going to go one way in my opinion… and that’s even higher and better.”

But for now, for the boyhood fan and player, it does not get much higher and better than this.