After Kyle Walker was benched in the Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan, he had plenty to say in the dressing room.
At the time, it was a surprise to see Walker excluded from the starting lineup.
In the biggest of games, every time the Englishman has been available over the years, Pep Guardiola has relied on him.
However, against Inter Milan, it was John Stones who played at right-back for City instead, which emerged as a major surprise as Manuel Akanji was expected to start instead of him.
What Kyle Walker said in the Manchester City dressing room ahead of Inter Milan clash in the Champions League final
Later in the game, the former Tottenham Hotspur speedster replaced Stones and helped the Sky Blues see out the game.
Ultimately, Walker and Co. found a way to ensure the Italians, who were growing into the game did not score past them as they won their first Champions League title.
However, ahead of the final between Manchester City and Inter Milan, Kyle Walker gave a speech to his teammates in the dressing room.
“Lads, I just want to say a few words. I’m not great at these things but listen”, he said in the sixth episode of Netflix’s Together: Treble Winners documentary.
Walker continued, “We have to make sure that when we’re on that pitch, we’re working hard. The desire from every one of us in this changing room, from the starters to the finishers to the staff, we get us over that line.”
“I love every single one of you. Come and make my dream come true. Please, I beg you. Right, come on boys.”
Kyle Walker showed why he has been handed the captain’s armband this season
Considering Kyle Walker was benched in arguably the biggest game in Manchester City history against Inter Milan, he would have had every right to be sulking.
However, to be in such a mood before the Champions League final as a senior player might have distracted the starters on the night from losing their focus.
As a result, Kyle Walker rightly decided to do what was best for the team and pushed them to go all the way by giving an inspirational speech.
It is this selfless attitude and team spirit that Walker showed that perhaps played a role in him replacing Gundogan as City’s captain this season.
From the speech alone and the maturity the 33-year-old showcased; one can see why he is viewed as a leader in the dressing room.
