Toney never doubts England, despite the Saudi Arabia move

Ivan Toney says he never doubted his chances of returning to England, despite being transferred to Saudi Pro League last year.

Al Ahli’s striker invited Gareth Southgate on the eve of the World Cup qualification three lions against Andorra this Saturday.

The 29-year-old returned to the national team lineup for the first time since the defeat of England from Spain in the Euro 2024 final last July.

Toney was absent from international football after serving an eight -month suspension in 2023 for breach of betting regulations.

After leaving Brentford last summer, Toney signed for the Saudi club Al Ahli and quickly found its shape, scoring 30 goals in 44 games in all competitions.

Asked on Wednesday during the English training camp in Girona whether the transition to Saudi Arabia brought his international career in danger, the attacker replied: “No.

🗣 “It’s hard, it’s not easy!”

English Ivan Toney says the criticism of the Saudi Pro League is unfair.#Bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/2I6qlwjftr

– Match of the Day (@bbcmotd) June 5, 2025

“I see with me, I think if you just do the right thing, play football, play well and score goals – the job of the attacker, this is what you need to do on the team – it doesn’t matter where you play in the world, I feel like you should still get a chance.

“I think I have been proven to be back here and that I get back among the boys. I feel good to see my faces again and get well stuck.”

Toney’s fertile exit in Saudi Arabia is difficult to ignore. Only Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed him in the league during the 2024-25 campaign, with Toney’s 23 goals dropped big names like Karim Benzema (21) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (19).

“I feel like I’m in good shape. As you can see, I’m here, I’m still scoring goals,” Toney added.

“So, I hope to be able to continue it and be in a mix for the World Cup.”

England faced Andor in Spain on Saturday, before taking Senegal in a friendly at Wembley on June 10th.