Jacob Murphy, the Newcastle winger, sported an enormous smile as the iconic Champions League anthem played on Tuesday night, and the footage is truly heartwarming.
Despite his surprise inclusion as a starter for their opening Champions League match against AC Milan, the 28-year-old, who has been a significant part of the team since Eddie Howe’s arrival in November 2021, stood alongside Sean Longstaff and Anthony Gordon at the San Siro, gearing up for a challenging Group F encounter.
Shortly after the stadium announcer initiated the renowned UCL anthem, cameras captured Murphy’s delighted reaction to the melody.
For Newcastle and their fans, who have been waiting for this moment for two decades, this must have been an emotional and exhilarating experience. How wonderful is this?
Chills.
After a long 20 year wait. Newcastle hear the #UCL anthem for the first time in their return to the competition. #ACMNEW pic.twitter.com/Yw0bzsfXAZ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 19, 2023
Murphy, who is a boyhood Newcastle fan, opened up about playing Champions League football ahead of their opener against AC Milan.
“I couldn’t ever had dreamed this,” Murphy toldNewcastle’s club channel.“It’s better than what I could have imagined and we’re there. I’ve got no words for it. Who would have thought it? But we’ve done it.
“Throughout the season we’ve been unbelievable and it’s just compounded effort, commitment and team spirit – we had the right ingredients to get success.
“I think everyone had a feeling (it would happen) – I can’t pinpoint the time but we’ve been solid for quite a long while, and then this dream has become a reality.”
Jacob Murphy’s big smile while listening to the Champions League anthem. This is what football is about.
— Alvaro Romeo (@Alvaro_Romeo) September 19, 2023
Murphy added: “It’s amazing. I’ve always said that I love being here and I love playing for my club. To be a part of that group that has got to the Champions League after two decades – you cannot write it.”