Jordan Pickford has broken his silence after England's heartbreaking World Cup semi-final exit, stating that inspiring the next generation of players is something he 'buzzes off'. The Everton goalkeeper kept two clean sheets in six appearances before the Three Lions crashed out to Argentina.
Pickford's Instagram Statement
At 32, this could have been Pickford's final World Cup with the national team. In a post on Instagram, he wrote: "Putting on the England shirt will always be one of the greatest honours of my life. Football has a way of bringing people together like nothing else, and seeing the scenes of support and celebration back home and across the world meant everything to us."
He added: "Knowing we've inspired the next generation is something I buzz off. Thanks for backing us. We didn't get the ending we wanted, but we'll learn, we'll grow, and we'll be back." Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Jordan Henderson were among the England stars responding in the replies.
Mixed Tournament for Pickford
It was a mixed tournament for Pickford. While he was particularly impressive in the win over Mexico, that was followed by a shaky performance against Norway and criticism for conceding Argentina's equaliser. Enzo Fernandez's long-range effort was not quite in the corner, with several pundits believing that Pickford should have saved it.
Roy Keane said: "I think if you look at it, I think he was one of them ones. He was kind of leaning to see it. We've always said Pickford, is Pickford really going to be producing amazing saves? He's been very good for England. Obviously very good for Everton. But is he really a top-class goalkeeper?"
Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville also thought the Toffees shot-stopper should have done better, but many others criticised the England players for failing to close down the shot in the first place. Jude Bellingham was inches away from blocking the effort and upon seeing a replay, he appeared to bemoan that "it was in the middle of the goal".
Emotional Exit and Bronze Match
Pickford could do nothing to stop Lautaro Martinez's close-range header, which saw his fifth tournament end in disappointment. At full-time, he was spotted in tears while being consoled by Dean Henderson. The Crystal Palace keeper replaced Pickford for the bronze match against France, which ended 6-4 to England.
Earlier in the tournament, Nathan Patterson was eliminated in the group stages with Scotland, while Senegal duo Idrissa Gueye and Illiman Ndiaye suffered a brutal exit to Belgium in the last 32.
