AC Milan defender Kyle Walker said that his "heart took over" when he pleaded with the referee not to give Dele Alli a red card during his debut for Como last month. The two are former teammates at Tottenham Hotspur and the England national team.
AC Milan defeated Como 2-1 in a dramatic and emotionally charged encounter that will be remembered not only for the result but also for the long-awaited return of Dele Alli to professional football.
The match, part of a midweek cup fixture at the San Siro, saw Milan edge out the Serie B side with goals from Luka Jović and Christian Pulisic, while Como’s lone response came through a late strike from Simone Verdi. Yet, the on-field drama took a backseat to a moment that stirred hearts across the footballing world.
All eyes turned to the 81st minute, when Dele Alli was brought on as a substitute for Como, marking his first competitive appearance in over two years. Once hailed as one of England’s brightest talents, the 28-year-old’s career had taken a sharp decline following injuries, loss of form, and well-publicized personal battles. For many, this appearance symbolized a chance at redemption a fresh chapter with a club willing to believe in his potential.
However, just ten minutes after his emotional return, that fairytale moment took a harsh twist. Alli was involved in a contentious incident where he accidentally stepped on the heel of AC Milan midfielder and fellow Englishman Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Initially, the referee allowed play to continue, but following a VAR review, the decision was overturned, and Alli was shown a straight red card. The Como players protested, and the stadium buzzed with tension, but the decision stood.
One of the first players to intervene was AC Milan defender Kyle Walker, another former England international and close friend of Alli. The two shared many years as teammates at Tottenham Hotspur and with the national team. Speaking on his BBC podcast after the match, Walker admitted he couldn’t stay silent as he saw the referee reach for his pocket.
“I think my heart took over,” Walker said. “Anyone else, I probably would’ve let get sent off. But when I saw it was Dele, I instinctively ran to the referee and tried to explain. I know what he’s been through. I know how hard it’s been for him just to be back on a football pitch.”
Walker’s words came from a place of deep personal understanding. In 2023, Alli made headlines with a raw and emotional interview where he revealed the trauma he had suffered as a child, including sexual abuse at the age of six. He spoke candidly about years of emotional turmoil, a battle with sleeping pill addiction, and time spent in a rehabilitation facility. For many fans and fellow professionals, his decision to open up was seen as an act of courage.
“He’s been to hell and back,” Walker continued. “Coming to Como was a brave decision. He could’ve faded away or walked away from football entirely. But he didn’t. He chose to fight. That’s why seeing him get sent off for something so minor felt heartbreaking. It wasn’t a dirty tackle. It wasn’t violent. It was clumsy at worst. He didn’t deserve that kind of punishment not on a night that should’ve been about hope.”
The 34-year-old right-back didn’t shy away from acknowledging the competitive nature of the game either. “Look, we’re professionals. Of course, we wanted them to go down to ten men it would’ve made our lives easier. But football is also about people. About human stories. And when you’ve got a mate out there who’s finally finding the light again, you can’t help but feel for him when things go wrong.”
Despite the 2-1 loss, Como manager Cesc Fàbregas (himself a high-profile figure in this second-tier club’s ambitious rise) praised Alli for his bravery and commitment during training and expressed disappointment at how his debut ended. “Dele has been fantastic since arriving. He’s focused, he’s hungry, and he’s integrated well with the squad. This red card doesn’t define him. It’s just a bump in the road.”
The incident sparked widespread debate in the football community, with many pundits arguing that the red card was harsh and could have been managed with more sensitivity. Supporters flooded social media with messages of encouragement for Alli, with many praising Walker’s sportsmanship and empathy during the heat of the moment.
What began as a routine cup fixture turned into a poignant reflection of football’s deeper emotional layers. For Dele Alli, the red card was undoubtedly a bitter pill to swallow, but the overwhelming support he received on and off the pitch reminded everyone that comebacks are never linear. They’re messy, difficult, and often full of setbacks. But they’re also made possible by resilience and, sometimes, the kindness of a friend who understands the journey.
