MILLION TO ONE SHOT
Magic Maddison schooled teacher
JAMES MADDISON had the belief almost a decade ago when a teacher warned him only one in a million make it as a footballer.
His simple response to the schoolteacher was: “I’m that one.”
That confidence has never wavered. He always felt this moment on the biggest of stages would come.
Even when Gareth Southgate seemed to have lost his number as he went three years without an England call-up, Maddison never deleted the Three Lions manager’s digits.
He knew one day the phone would ring again. Just like he knew he would make it as a footballer when his IT teacher warned him that dream may not come true back in January 2013.
“I’ve never had any contact with that teacher,” said the 25-year-old Leicester midfielder.
“A lot of people have asked if that story is actually real, but it is.
“He was an IT teacher in secondary school – some people have pointed out that he clearly wasn’t a maths teacher because the one in a million doesn’t really add up!
“But that speaks of the same attitude that I have spoken about before. I have always had that self-belief and it won’t change now on the biggest stage.”
Maddison missed the call from Southgate. He was in his Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers’ office.
The discussion was about how he would deal with disappointment if he was left out despite his fine Premier League form and what plans he might make for the next six weeks.
There were loose plans for a holiday with his family.
However, there was no need. When Maddison returned to the dressing room, Southgate’s name was on his phone.
His three-year exodus from the England squad was over. Just in time to head here to Qatar.
He reiterated yesterday it wasn’t down to a casino incident which happened before his one and only cap in November 2019.
“I went back down to the changing room afterwards and had a missed call off Gareth Southgate, so the heart starts beating,” said Maddison.
“I had his number saved still. I went up and called him back, he gave me the good news and it was all a bit of a blur.
“After the call finished and he told me I was in, it was a bit of a head on the wall moment, big deep breath and called my parents.”
That phone call to mum Una and, in particular, dad Gary was emotional.
Maddison said: “My dad actually cried – and he is not a crier!
“I don’t think I have seen him cry for years. They were happy tears, of course.
“Your family, your parents… they are on this journey with you, you know?
“On the day of the announcement, after training I wanted to go back and see them in Coventry.
“I had dinner at home with my mum and dad, my little boy and my partner. I wanted to see them. That’s a moment I will cherish forever.
“The phone call was a bit of a blur, I couldn’t tell you what Gareth said. It was a very heart in mouth moment. But I wanted to go back and see my mum and give her a big hug. It was a special day for all of us, one I will never forget.”
Now Maddison is out to make sure the next few weeks are unforgettable as well.
He wants his moment. The ones he would have dreamed about when he was a kid, shaven-headed and with a St George’s flag painted on his face.
Like when David Beckham stuck that free-kick into the top corner against Greece to book a 2002 World Cup spot.
“They are the moments you literally dream of, the kind if everything goes perfectly,” added Maddison.
“How many times have we watched that free-kick that sent us to a major tournament?
“Big moments in tournaments are the ones that get replayed for years and years, so to get one would be absolutely unbelievable.”