Michail Antonio says he’s achieved a boyhood dream by being called up to the England squad.
The West Ham winger was named as the only new face in Sam Allardyce’s first selection as Three Lions boss on Sunday evening.
Slovakia v England
2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
European Qualifiers (Group F)
5pm (BST), Sunday 4 September
City Arena, Trnava (Slovakia)
The 26-year-old has enjoyed a fruitful first year in the Premier League, having scored ten goals in 29 appearances since moving from Championship side Nottingham Forest last August.
Speaking at the end of his first day with the England squad, Antonio told FATV: “[It’s been] very emotional, especially when I found out.
“It's always been a boyhood dream for me to play for England. To have the opportunity now, by being called up, is just breath-taking.
“As soon as I found out it (the call-up) was serious, I started welling up. Then I just got myself mentally-ready and waited for it to come out.
“The first day was really good,” he continued.
“I came in and walked over to the gaffer to say 'thank you for the opportunity' and he said 'there's no need to thank me because you've done it on the pitch - now work hard and see if you can do it as an international player'.”
Just eight years ago, Antonio was playing non-league football with Tooting & Mitcham – something that he believes could have deterred Allardyce from calling him up.
“To pick someone like me, with my background, is kind of a risk,” admitted the Londoner.
“The gaffer's definitely taken that risk, and he's shown his belief in me – and now I've got to show it to the world.
“One thing I've always believed in is never to give up, and to always have belief in yourself and that you can achieve things. Anything is possible in life, and that's one thing I've always believed in.
“Once I've reached one target, I always search for another,” he continued.
“I went from non-league and made the jump to Reading, then kept going out on loan because I wasn't really getting much time there. Then I went to Sheffield Wednesday, then to [Nottingham] Forest and then managed to get to West Ham and to where I've always wanted to be: the Premier League.
“As soon I got to the Premier League, I said to myself: 'international'. Now I've done that, so I've got to set myself a new target now.”
Watch FATV's exclusive interview with England new boy Antonio
