Exclusive: Wilson’s recent form has led to an England World Cup call-up and don’t expect him to be overawed
When Callum Wilson was told on Thursday that he had made England’s World Cup squad it represented a moment of fulfillment as he realised a boyhood dream after a lifetime of overcoming hardships and setbacks.
And to understand a man like Wilson, you have to understand where he has come from and what he has been through. It began with a rough, difficult childhood, with his father abandoning the family at a young age and his mother often having to leave Wilson and his five siblings to fend for themselves as she tried to support the family. Wilson “grew up fast” because he “had to”.
As a footballer, it has been a long and bumpy road. He started at hometown club Coventry in the lower leagues before joining Bournemouth in the Championship and then moving to Newcastle United in a £21m deal two years ago.
Wilson has not had anything come easily and does not expect anything to do so in the future either. He suffered two serious knee injuries in his mid-20s. His body has broken down too often since, but he has kept going, kept smiling and kept scoring goals.