Noni Madoueke: I will strive to improve my own condition and contribute to the team to the best of my ability.

Noni Madoueke has expressed confidence in providing decisive assistance to the England team during this crucial stage of the World Cup. England qualified for the 2026 World Cup knockout stage as group L winners, where Thomas Tuchel's team will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 32 for a place in the round of 16.

During the group stage, Noni Madoueke made appearances in all three matches, primarily playing on the right wing and alternating with his Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka as a winger, providing crucial support to the team's attacking system. In a pre-match interview, Noni Madoueke spoke about his relationship with Bukayo Saka, stating that they maintain a positive interaction and mutual support, and hope that both can maintain their best form.

Noni Madoueke said: "It is well known that I have a good personal relationship with Bukayo Saka. Usually, the relationship between two players competing for the same position can be a bit delicate, but that is not the case for us, and it does not affect our friendship at all."

“We both want each other to improve, because when he plays well and I stay in good form, both England and Arsenal have a better chance of winning. I have an advantage in open areas, while he is better at creating threats in tight defensive situations.”

When asked if he was capable of being a key player in the knockout stages, Noni Madoueke gave a firm affirmative answer. He stated, "You have to have that belief. As a player at the highest level, being able to stand on this stage in itself means you have the corresponding ability."

"When you step onto the world's highest stage in football wearing the national team jersey, you must have full and unwavering confidence in your abilities. Because ultimately, what truly determines the outcome of the game is your performance on the field with your teammates. As long as you can get yourself into your ideal competitive state, I think it's beneficial no matter what the method is."

This marks Noni Madoueke's first appearance in a major international tournament. Following his Premier League title win with Arsenal, his consistent performance earned him a place in England's World Cup squad. Reflecting on his World Cup experience, he said, "It's been a very valuable experience. We've achieved our first-stage goals, which I'm very happy about, and I'm really looking forward to the knockout stages. Being on the World Cup stage means a lot to me; it's a dream come true, and I cherish this opportunity. As I've said before, the real challenge begins in the knockout stages, so I will do my best to improve my performance."

Image source: Internet/England National Team official website