From street soccer to their first Champions League final

Borussia Dortmund sensation Jadon Sancho has attributed his rise to the top of European football to his early experiences playing cage football. As he prepares for his first UEFA Champions League final, the 24-year-old winger spoke exclusively to TNT Sports about the surreal opportunity to compete for the prestigious trophy.

After a falling out with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, Sancho returned to his former club on loan and has since become an integral part of the team. Despite a slow start, he showcased his skills in the semi-final victory over Paris Saint-Germain, skills that were first developed in the cage football courts of south London.

In an interview with TNT Sports expert Owen Hargreaves, Sancho expressed his love for cage football, stating, “I grew up with cage football and it’s always been with me. Every time I go on the pitch, I always try and do the skills I do in the cage. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But if you don’t try, it doesn’t work.”

Sancho will face off against his former Dortmund teammate Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid’s Brazilian star Vinicius Junior in the final. He revealed that he exchanged text messages with the pair following Real’s victory over Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, expressing his excitement for the upcoming clash.

“It’s going to be a great game. Madrid, their history speaks for itself, they’ve got a lot of great players. I’ve got a few friends over there, Vini and Jude,” Sancho shared. “I actually messaged them after they won against Bayern Munich. I said, ‘I’ll see you there.’ It’s going to be a tense game, for sure. I can’t wait.”

Sancho’s journey to the final has been filled with ups and downs. After joining Manchester United in a blockbuster £73 million deal in 2021, he struggled to find his best form and had a falling out with Ten Hag. However, he always believed he would return to the biggest stage in football and praised Dortmund’s culture for helping him flourish once again.

“It’s a big family, everyone respects each other, everyone helps each other. Especially for me, a young player, you need this foundation and especially the fans,” Sancho explained. “The fans always support me through good and bad times, and that is what keeps me – and young players – motivated to do their best.”

Reflecting on his upcoming Champions League final debut, Sancho expressed his excitement and disbelief. “I always knew one day I would play in a game like this. For it to be London, and for me to be only 24, to get my first experience in a Champions League final is actually surreal. It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but when we travel to London the occasion will start to hit me.”

As Sancho prepares to take on Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown between two European giants. The young English star’s journey from the cage football courts of south London to the biggest stage in European football is a testament to his talent and determination.