Djed Spence: England's most special player

In the 69th minute, when he came on as a substitute for Reece James, the 25-year-old right-back of Tottenham Hotspur not only officially made his mark on the national team, but also became the first Muslim player in history to wear the England shirt.

“I was really surprised because I didn't know I was the first. It's a blessing," Spence, who was born in London, said emotionally.

“It feels great to make history, and I hope to inspire kids around the world that they can do it too,” Spence said.

Milestones with meaning beyond the pitch

Spence's debut was immediately seen as a moment of celebration by Britain's Muslim community. Muslims now make up around 6% of the population, but for many years their presence in professional football has been very limited.

“Djed has a huge responsibility on his shoulders, not just for England, but for millions of Muslims around the world. Because now he is a role model who breaks all barriers,” Ebadur Rahman, founder of Nujum Sports, which has supported more than 400 Muslim athletes, emphasized.

Yunus Lunat, grassroots football coach and former chairman of the FA's race equality advisory board, said: "We haven't had enough Muslim players coming through at the highest level. They haven't had enough opportunities, they haven't had enough role models for the younger generation to follow. It's a shame we have to wait until 2025 to have the first Muslim player play for England."

An inspirational example

Starting his career at Middlesbrough, joining Tottenham in 2022, Spence had a difficult time with three consecutive loan spells. But it was his determination and perseverance that helped him rise. Last season, Spence played a major role in Spurs' journey to win the Europa League, opening a major turning point in his career.

Playing for the national team was an emotional moment for Spence: “Whatever religion you follow, just believe in God,” Spence said. “Days like today are especially thanks to God, for me. I got a little emotional because the journey hasn’t been easy. But now I’m officially an England international, and I’m really happy.”

More than just a career move, Spence’s debut carried a powerful message of faith, perseverance and ambition. He became living proof that football can break down cultural and religious barriers, opening the door for new generations to dream of reaching the top.