EXCLUSIVEPer Mertesacker reveals which England star gave him 'goosebumps' as the Arsenal and Germany legend explains why he is backing the Three Lions to go all the way at Euro 2024

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It is not often that you find a German rooting for England at a tournament but with Germany out of the Euros, that's exactly what former World Cup winner Per Mertesacker is doing.

Mail Sport met the former Arsenal and Germany centre half in Berlin the day after England beat Switzerland on penalties and the 39-year-old revealed that he wanted Arsenal's Bukayo Saka to go all the way.

'With the experience England have had in the last four tournaments, who knows? My favourites are Spain because they play good football and control games but I would love to see Bukayo Saka lift the trophy,' said Mertesacker, who is the current manager of the Arsenal academy.

The 6ft 6in defender has been involved with Arsenal since 2011, seeing Saka develop through the ranks and he admitted that he had 'goosebumps' watching the 22-year-old score the equaliser for England against Switzerland before converting his penalty in the shoot-out.

'I know Saka very closely and with what he's been through, especially three years ago with the abuse, I'm so proud of him. I got goosebumps watching him.' Mertesacker added.

Per Mertesacker was cheering on Germany from the stands at Euro 2024 earlier this summer 

However, following Germany's elimination, Mertesacker, 39, is now rooting for England

'When you work closely with someone, you know what they're capable of. He can deliver and the way he has come back from the abuse to this tournament, he seems stronger than ever.

'That speaks for the youth system of England and for the trust in him from a manager like Gareth Southgate because he knows he can deliver world-class moments.'

So does Mertesacker really believe England can win the Euros? As someone who won the World Cup in 2014 with Germany, he knows what it takes.

'They've been terrific, haven't they?' said a laughing Mertesacker. 'But they have an amazing opportunity now. Nothing has actually surprised me because they have players that understand big moments so England fans have to be excited.

'It hasn't been the fluid football that everyone wants to see but it has been amazing in terms of coming back from behind. That is what stands out for me. You have to embrace those moments and those players like Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka.'

Mertesacker said that watching Bukayo Saka (pictured) gave him 'goosebumps' last weekend

Mertesacker has been working with the Arsenal youth setup since he ended his playing career

Mertesacker said Spain were his favourites to win the Euros, but he is backing Saka and Co

If England can get past the Netherlands on Wednesday, they will have the opportunity to win a European Championship in Berlin at the home of their old enemy, just like Germany did in 1996, when they won the final at Wembley.

We concluded our chat by asking Mertesacker whether he would rather see England win the Euros or Spurs win the Premier League?

'England to win the Euros,' he replied, without even a moment of hesitation.