England ace Dele Alli reveals a bracelet he received from a Russian taxi driver at the World Cup has joined his huge list of rituals and lucky charms
Alli was given the bracelet when he was awaiting the results for his thigh injury that he picked up after England's first game against Tunisia
England star Dele Alli says he was given a "lucky charm" bracelet by a taxi driver in Russia - before discovering the injury he sustained at the beginning of the World Cup was not as bad as first feared.
Alli, 22, had a tense 45-minute journey from England's base camp in Repino to a St Petersburg hospital the day after hurting his thigh during England's 2-1 victory over Tunisia.
In an interview with the , Alli said: "As I got out, the taxi driver gave me a bracelet and said it was good luck."
And the bracelet seemed to have the desired effect with scans showing Alli had just a thigh strain.
He missed England's remaining group games against Panama and Belgium, however, the Spurs player playedin England's knockout games against Colombia, Sweden and Croatia.
Alli added: "So I've kept it. I don't wear it but I keep it in my washbag."
The bracelet is one of a number of rituals and lucky charms Alli likes to have in place in preparation for matches.
These include an eight-minute ice bath on the eve of a game and taping his left knee regardless of injury. He has also worn the same shinpads he has owned since he was 11-years-old.
Alli said in July: "Yeah I have a lot of superstitions. There are so many.
"I do all my right leg first, then all my left leg.
"I have an eight-minute ice-bath the night before. I don’t know why, it’s just a superstition.
"Then I always say a prayer, the same prayer, before."
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Speaking in July, he said: "Now you might’ve noticed there’s tape on my knee.
"That’s a superstition as well. I don’t like taking it off.
"I took it off for the first game (against Tunisia) - this is a bit of a silly superstition - but that was the first game in ages I haven’t had it on, and I got injured, so I’m going to be keeping it on again.
"Yeah it is getting out of control. It’s a bit crazy."
Whether it was down to Alli's superstitions or not, there is a new found confidence in the national team as England reached their first World Cup semi-final since 1990.
Gareth Southgate's side will play for the first time since the tournament when they kick-off their UEFA Nations League campaign against Spain on Saturday night at Wembley - a game you can listen to live on talkSPORT from 19:45.