Thomas Tuchel makes bizarre admission about eating World Cup grass

Thomas Tuchel looks back on Mexico City celebrations with some regret (Picture: PA Wire)

England manager Thomas Tuchel has a strange regret about the World Cup over the summer, wishing he had eaten some Mexican grass when he got the chance.

The Three Lions had an eventful journey at the World Cup, reaching the semi-finals where they suffered a dramatic late defeat to Argentina.

There were plenty of highs along the way, including the opening win over Croatia and finishing their tournament with a thrilling third-place play-off victory over France.

The highlight for many, though, was the trip to the Azteca Stadium in the round of 16 and the tense 3-2 win England managed to secure over Mexico.

Jude Bellingham scored twice and Harry Kane converted from the penalty spot before England clung on to a lead after Jarell Quansah was sent off.

It was an epic occasion and Tuchel wishes he had celebrated it in a different and unusual way.

The German told Daniel Sturridge in an interview for the FA: ‘I texted a friend after the match and I just wrote, “I regret that I didn’t eat some grass after the match to keep something from this in my body forever.” That was the feeling. That was the moment.’

England pulled off a memorable win in the iconic Mexican stadium (Picture: REUTERS)

The drama in Mexico City did not end with the final whistle as unused substitute Jordan Henderson managed to break his arm as he jumped over an advertising hoarding during the celebrations.

Tuchel even remembers this fondly, in a way, as it showed the togetherness of his England squad.

‘This game had so much of what you could wish for,’ he said. ‘If you needed any proof of what it meant to these players and how they were with each other, it was the moment when Jordan fell over and broke his arm.

‘Within a second, the players were there. Every single player was there stopping the celebrations, building a shield, protecting Jordan – not going nowhere, in full empathy. It was just so special.’

Jordan Henderson suffered a painful injury during the celebrations (Picture: Getty Images)

England are back in action this month as they face Spain and Czech Republic in the UEFA Nations League on September 26 and 29 respectively.

Tuchel will lead the Three Lions through the Nations League campaign and then into the Euros in 2028.

‘The target is to have another 10 matches. We had 10 matches in the US – eight wins, one draw, one painful loss,’ he said. ‘That is something to build on.

‘We all have the right to hold our heads high and go with courage and positivity into the next challenges. We have four matches in Nations League coming up, and that’s where the focus is.’

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