Ethan Ampadu insists he has a lot more to achieve in football as he prepares to become the youngest Welshman to win 50 caps.
Ampadu is set to break Chris Gunter’s record at the tender age of 23 in Thursday’s Euro 2024 play-off semi-final against Finland in Cardiff.
The versatile Leeds player, who can operate at centre-back or in midfield, will reach the 50-cap milestone at the same age as England pair Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.
“Everyone wants to try and achieve it as quickly as they can,” said Ampadu, who made his Wales debut against France as a 17-year-old in 2017.
“Whether that was by the time I was 23 or 28, just to achieve the milestone itself is a massive achievement. I’m not really too interested on how quick you can do it.
“I’m still young but I’ve experienced a lot, which I’m very grateful for.
“I’m hoping I’ve still got a long way to go in the game and I can achieve a lot more.
“It’s just nice to hopefully reach the milestone, but it’s more important we get to the Euros. That’s massive.
“I would probably enjoy that more, especially that feeling as a squad, and as fans we all deserve that.”
Ampadu was identified as a future Wales player while still a schoolboy studying for GCSEs in his home city of Exeter, qualifying for the Dragons through his Welsh-born mother Wendy.
He was capped by England at Under-16 level, but insists he always felt Welsh growing up and trained with Gareth Bale and company ahead of Wales reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
Ampadu said: “My dad took me up to the Vale (Wales’ training base) and I remember that drive. I was a very nervous young boy.
“The first person I met was Ben Davies, he said ‘hello’ and we had a short conversation.
“He might not remember it, but he made it very easy and it was very warming.
“Just that initial ‘hello’ and ‘how are you?’ was quite settling for me.”
Ampadu left Exeter for Chelsea at the age of 16 and had loan spells at RB Leipzig, Sheffield United and Italian clubs Venezia and Spezia during his time at Stamford Bridge.
He suffered three relegations and headlines claiming he was cursed, but he has helped Leeds to the top of the Championship after making a permanent £7million move to Elland Road last summer.
“It’s a lot nicer and more enjoyable when you are winning,” said Ampadu.
“I have taken the feeling of three relegations and how much that hurt me. I have used that as a motivation to not have that feeling again.”
Ampadu has started every league game for Leeds and made captain with Liam Cooper injured, while Wales boss Rob Page has called him a future captain of his country.
He said: “I didn’t expect it (captaincy), but I was proud and very happy to see it and it has come naturally to me.
“Daniel (Farke, Leeds manager) has placed a lot of trust and faith in me and I wanted to repay that.
“I still play every game as I did at the start of the season. I haven’t changed.
“Also because of the position I play, either as a midfielder or defender, you are in the middle of the pitch.”
Ampadu has established an outstanding centre-back partnership with Wales colleague Joe Rodon at Elland Road over the past few months.
But Page has suggested he will revert to a central midfield role against Finland, with the winners hosting Poland or Estonia five days later to decide a place at Euro 2024.
He said: “Hopefully I’ve shown this season I feel comfortable in midfield and also as a defender.”
Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women
Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.
Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.
Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.
"The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.
"We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."
Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.
Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.
"If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.
"We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.
"We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."
Erik ten Hag: Man United fans are understanding of situation
Erik ten Hag is confident he still has the understanding of supporters after Manchester United's poor run of form continued with defeat to Arsenal.
United were beaten 1-0 by Premier League title chasers Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday in a game that saw them create little.
While United did well to restrict Arsenal's chances, they had just two shots on target themselves - long-rangers from Casemiro and Antony.
The Red Devils have had to contend with a number of injury problems this season, not least against Arsenal with a makeshift defence fielded.
And for that reason, Ten Hag - whose job beyond this season has been called into question - believes the fanbase remain supportive.
"They understand where we are and where this club is," he told Sky Sports. "We have so many injuries in key areas.
"The fans don't get what they deserve, but they understand this and that is why they are behind the team.
"I think that is why they are with us we are united. Hopefully we can pay them back in the future."
Ten Hag pointed out that United were without seven possible starters, forcing him to field veteran Jonny Evans alongside Casemiro at centre-back.
Casemiro was at fault for Arsenal's goal as he was slow getting back up the field, meaning Havertz was onside before teeing up Trossard.
Ten Hag, though, was not willing to point the finger of blame at the underperforming midfielder.
"In that situation he is a midfielder playing in that position and making a small mistake, but it has hard consequences," he said.
"Before that, in possession we could have done better in others positions. It's details."
Eighth-placed United have won just one of their past eight league matches in a run that includes a 4-0 thumping at Crystal Palace earlier in the week.
The Red Devils have lost 19 games in all competitions this season, which is their most since 1977-78 when also losing 19.
Asked if he believes he is the man to turn things around, Ten Hag said: "I have no doubt about this.
"Mostly, this team has the right spirit and they execute the rules and principles of the game even if they have to adapt in their positions.
"I can only be happy and it is a big compliment for this team that they executed all that they could and they were fighting."
Manchester United Women 4-0 Tottenham Women: Garcia double secures Red Devils' first FA Cup triumph
Manchester United Women banished last year's FA Cup demons to lift the trophy for the first time in their history after smashing Tottenham Women 4-0 at Wembley Stadium.
United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea Women in the final of this competition last term but exacted revenge after Lucia Garcia scored twice in a comfortable win on Sunday.
Ella Toone's eye-catching strike in the first half set the tone before a goal for Rachel Williams and Garcia's double added gloss to a convincing scoreline, despite Beth England hitting the crossbar for Spurs.
Marc Skinner's side dominated the opening half as Millie Turner saw a header cleared off the line by Martha Thomas, while Williams headed over.
However, there was no stopping Toone on the stroke of half-time as she exchanged passes with Lisa Naalsund before arrowing a rocketed right-footed finish into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Further punishment followed for an underwhelming Tottenham after the interval when Williams headed down from Katie Zelem's free-kick to double United's lead in the 54th minute.
Goalkeeper Becky Spencer then handed Skinner's team more joy just three minutes later, mindlessly playing straight to Garcia, who slotted into an empty net.
Garcia capped the scoring after 74 minutes, receiving an offload from Turner before curling a delightful finish past the powerless Spencer as United secured their first major trophy in club history.
Data Debrief: United ease pain of last year
United fell short last year against Chelsea but continued their impressive record against Spurs here, extending to 13 games unbeaten against Tottenham since being founded in 2018.
This defeat will remain painful for Spurs in their first FA Cup final appearance, also ending a seven-game undefeated streak since losing to rivals Arsenal at the start of March.
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