Former Tottenham Hotspur and England midfielder Dele Alli has revealed he was banned for life from Tesco after repeatedly shoplifting there as a child.
Alli recalled the incident during a live broadcast while describing a journey to football training. Someone driving him to practice stopped at the supermarket to buy energy drinks, but Alli remained in the back of the car because he knew he was not allowed inside.
“They’d be getting energy drinks and stuff for training. I was in the back, quiet, acting like I was a good kid or something. They were probably talking about school or whatever, and then they were like, ‘Can you go in the shop?’” Alli said.
“They gave me money and said, ‘Can you go and get some drinks?’ I was just sitting there, still in the back seat, and didn’t get out of the car. Thirty seconds passed, and they looked back, still chatting.
“They looked back again and asked me, ‘Can you get the drinks?’ I said, ‘I can’t.’ They asked why. I said, ‘I’m banned for life from there.’ Because I used to steal everything from there, man.”
Alli is currently a free agent and has recently been training with League Two club Barnet as he attempts to revive his career.
The midfielder emerged at Tottenham Hotspur as one of England’s most highly rated young players. He played for the Three Lions at Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, while his last England appearance came in 2019.
He later moved abroad, playing for Besiktas in Turkey and Como in Italy. Como were managed by Cesc Fabregas during Alli’s time at the club.
In 2023, Alli spoke openly to Gary Neville about his mental health, childhood trauma and struggles with addiction.
The former PFA Young Player of the Year had joined Tottenham Hotspur from MK Dons and quickly established himself as a key player for club and country. His form earned him international recognition, but he has since been unable to regain the same level of consistency.
His latest training spell with Barnet comes as he seeks another opportunity in professional football.
