James McClean tries to wind up England fans with a message posted via his social media before the Euro 2024 final against Spain.
The former Ireland international, now at League One newcomers Wrexham, caused a stir once again, this time donning the red Spain kit, took a selfie and uploaded it onto his Instagram stories.
He captioned it: “All set… now we hope and pray”, adding emojis of a Spanish flag, a smiling face and praying hands.
Earlier in the tournament, he called Declan Rice ‘overrated’ and said England fans are over the top with their expectations. See more on that HERE.
This isn’t the first time he’s done, this having previously deleted a social media post of his after getting backlash from online users before England played Germany in 2021.
England won that game 2-0, a round of 16 tie in the previous Euros, then went on to beat Ukraine and Denmark, before losing to Italy on penalties in the final.
He uploaded a picture of himself wearing a Germany shirt with Kroos on the back ahead of the game.
However, he again received abuse, some of which he has immediately put on his Instagram stories for all to see.
The criticism came as no surprise really given that he has been continually the subject of abuse in England for his refusal to wear a poppy, amongst other controversial things.
He previously wrote an open letter citing the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre as his reason not to wear a poppy, which he described as ‘one of the darkest days in Irish history’.
The British Army killed 13 people and injured 15 more on that day after 15,000 protesters poured in the streets of Derry.
He revealed some of the abuse he received earlier this year – when one person said they would “set your house on fire and burn everyone inside it”.
The message from an account read: “don’t make me set your house on fire and burn everyone inside it”.
There were three more abusive messages sent to the footballer at the time, which McClean highlighted.
In response to the abuse, the Stoke footballer called him a ‘wee d***head’ and challenged him to repeat the insults to his face.
He added: “Honestly god I’d happily slap the head of him.”
It came after McClean’s lengthy post in which he called for discrimination to end.
Then wrote: “Does being abused for being Irish and anti-Irish abuse acceptable?
“I have highlighted the abuse publicly on social media recently and the silence from everyone is deafening.”
McClean was recently keen to share on social media who he was up for in the early EURO 2020 last-16 clash at Wembley.
Taking to Instagram, he simple posted a photo of himself wearing a Germany jersey with Toni Kroos’ name on the back… and off the abusive messages started again. To be fair, he doesn’t exactly help himself does he?
As can be seen in the photos, he wrote: “Samples… non englishman wears another nations football top.. yes FOOTBALL, imagine that, such an horrendous crime.
“Don’t seem to like the irish very much it seems, even the poor pope got a sore touch.”
He added: “I brought on myself for wearing a football top, of course football banter warrants vile discrimative messages in return – their logic.”
Twitter users reacted as James McClean tries to wind up England fans with a message before the Euro 2024 final…
@WesternRegEnNet: This is a bit lame and I’m Irish.
@SimonEd96395958: Desperately trying to stay relevant
@Stephen46307644: Wouldn’t expect anything else. 🙂
@SyKo616: I’ve never been a fan of his but he’s definitely gone up in my opinion 🇪🇦🇪🇦🇪🇦
@padmcg: 100% 👍 c’mon spain 🇪🇸
@head_shoulders2: How did Ireland do in this tournament james?
@ronaallleeds: Currently playing for Wrexham and that’s the best club he’s played for enough said
@AmadMackem: Desperate to be relevant.
@wilse13: Is there a bigger c@&t in football that’s James McClean
@riskyredel: James McLean has 100% had all the shirts of England’s opponents so far this tournament.
@pfcdave1898: So obsessed with us, utter tosser 🤣
@Rconnor_94: Earned his living in England most of his life! May be banter but he doesn’t help himself does he. 😂
@PencilCraftsman: We’re all James McClean aren’t we?! 😂
@Robertnotts: Do it to make this guy cry please 🏴🏴🏴
@RobbieWalsh89: James McClean never misses an opportunity 😂
@NafNaf_97: 🤞🏼 James McCleannnnnnn, aha!
@Afoleyjones: I can’t decide if I’d prefer an outright hammering or a tragic, dramatic sudden death penalty shoot out defeat. In any event, the paella is simmering, the sangria chilling: please oh god, stop them bringing it home. 🇪🇸🏴@Wrexham_AFC #EURO2024
@CountyPodcast: Embarrassing 🙈
@Harry0AFC: Such an embarrassing bunch 🤣🤣🤣
@RichWXM: Look, I love James McClean 🤣
@SteveDonovan1: Ha ha, wind up merchant. I love it!
@n_w1970: He’s a fucking hypocrite, happy to take English money though isn’t he, the same English money that has gave home the life he has #knob
@mancitycollect: Weird behaviour from a man that lived and made his millions in a country he claims to hate 🤣 Tit
@Jimbokav1971: 😂 Fair play. He NEVER misses an opportunity. 👏
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