A lovely gesture.
Kalvin Phillips paid a touching tribute to his late grandmother after England’s 2-1 win over Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday.
The Leeds man has been one of the stars of the tournament for England and has been key in the Three Lions reaching their first major final in 55 years.
As Wembley erupted in celebration and Sweet Caroline rang around the famous stadium though, Phillips took the opportunity to pay tribute to his grandmother who sadly passed away earlier this year.
The midfielder put on an England shirt with ‘Granny Val’ printed on the back along with his squad number.
Phillips had a famously close relationship with his gran. In the last 16 victory against Germany, he wore boots with the words ‘Granny Val’ on the side.
His grandmother passed away in February this year, so sadly never got to see her grandson play for the national side, but had always been a huge part of his life and his footballing career.
Phillips recently told ITV: “She was very caring, she’s very nosey, but she was a lovely, lovely woman.
“She’d be saying ‘don’t let it [his England performances] get to your head and make sure you do just as well in the next game’.
“She always listened to it on the radio and then would ring me five or six times after the game, ask if I’m alright, ask how I played, if I did something wrong.”
After his gran’s funeral, Phillips posted a tribute on his social media to her, which read: “Yesterday I said my goodbyes to my beautiful grandmother! Thanks to everyone for the kind messages and gifts and also to the people who have helped me and my family in such a difficult period.
“Without you guys, family and football it would have been even harder than what it has been. Rest in Peace Love you always Granny Val!”
Without you guys, family and football it would have been even harder than what it has been. Rest in Peace Love you always Granny Val! ❤️🕊
— Kalvin Phillips (@Kalvinphillips) March 23, 2021
