Thu 23 March 2023, 15:45
Tottenham HotspurEmerson Royal has credited his recent resurgence in form to becoming a father for the first time.
Back in January, on his birthday to be specific, Emerson was given the life-changing news that he and his fiancée were expecting - and he believes that his revival in lilywhite so far in 2023 is largely down to that blessing.
Since the turn of the year, Emerson has put together a run of superb performances in our colours while he has also chipped in with a couple of goals as he has found a new spring in his step in north London. His recent performances have been at such a high-level that he also earned a return to the Brazil national team squad ahead of their upcoming international friendly against Morocco.
"It's a bit of everything, I went through many moments within the club. This last year has been a lot of learning for me,” the 24-year-old on his on-field renaissance.
In focus: Emerson Royal against West Ham
"On my birthday, after the loss to Arsenal - a tough day for me - I got the news that I was going to be a father. It was the day that my life changed completely. It was when I returned to my highest level of performance.
"I always had the dream of being a father and after receiving this news from my fiancée, I ended up changing my mindset and started thinking that it wasn't just for me that I was doing it - now there are two people who depend on me.
"I don't know how, a lot of people ask me how it happened, because it was the next day that I already changed, it was the week of the game against Manchester City that I scored the goal. It was simply going into the field and thinking about my son, my future wife. That's why I say that I'm living a new phase."
