Chantilly, June 19: Encouraged from afar by his club manager Claudio Ranieri, Jamie Vardy is carrying Leicester City's limitless ambition into England's assault on Euro 2016.
Having sat out England's opening draw with Russia, Vardy made an instant impact as a half-time substitute against Wales, netting an equaliser 11 minutes after coming on as Roy Hodgson's men came from behind to win 2-1.
Ranieri was quick to offer his congratulations, as Vardy revealed to journalists on Saturday, messaging the 29-year-old striker to say: "Congratulations champ."
While he continues to be linked to Arsenal, Vardy makes no secret of his fondness for Ranieri, beaming: "All he's bothered about is attacking!"
He must now hope that Hodgson, too, was sufficiently impressed with his display against Wales to award him a starting berth in Monday's meeting with Slovakia.
The sensation of the Premier League season, Vardy's 24 goals fired Leicester to the title and saw him win multiple Player of the Year awards.
The milestones continued to arrive as he was called into England's squad for the Euro and then tied the knot with his partner, Rebekah. They had previously had to scrap their marriage plans three times.
It caused him to miss England's 2-1 friendly win over Australia and it was Harry Kane who arrived in France as Hodgson's first-choice striker, but a clamour is now growing for Vardy to take his place. ?AFP