With tensions building as the Champions League Final against Liverpool draws ever nearer, plenty of Tottenham Hotspur players have been out in front of the press previewing the game and centre-half Toby Alderweireld has promised that he’ll be doing all he could to put previous heartbreak behind him and help the club to lift a historic first CL trophy.
The Belgian international played his part in Atletico Madrid’s Champions League campaign back in 2014, and he came on as a substitute in the game before they suffered a 4-1 loss to Real Madrid in extra time.
Reflecting on that heartbreak and disappointment as he spoke to the BBC this week, the 30-year-old explained.
“We were so close to winning it. The feeling of losing is very hard. That night I flew to Belgium because we had the World Cup coming up, so there was no time to grieve. After the World Cup, when I had time to think about it, I thought it was a big chance, a big opportunity, and maybe it will never come again. I will take this feeling to the final and show I want it more than anyone else.”
Alderweireld may be getting a second bite at the top European cherry but for plenty of others it’s their first shot at the silverware and everyone will be hoping that Toby achieves his aim and that others don’t suffer the heartbreak he did all those years ago.
Moments like this rarely come along often – we have to take it with both hands and as long as we give our all, what will be will be.
To Dare Is To Do, as they say.
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