According to Swedish media outlet Aftonbladet, during the celebratory night after Aston Villa won the European trophy, Swedish international Lindelof had an interesting anecdote off the field.
In this European final held in Istanbul, Aston Villa defeated Freiburg 3-0, lifting the European trophy again after 44 years. This victory not only added glory to the team's history but also completely ignited the atmosphere at the venue. As a loyal supporter of the team, Prince William also attended the match and celebrated the victory with the team after the final whistle.
It is reported that Lindelof's wife, Maja Nilsson Lindelof, and his brothers also came to witness this historic moment with their family. During the post-match celebration, Maja wanted to take a photo with Prince William, but due to the dense crowd and enthusiastic atmosphere, it was difficult to take a picture. Prince William gladly accepted the request for a photo, but since there was no photographer nearby at the time, no one could take their picture. It was then that Lindelof "temporarily stepped in," took the phone, and helped his wife take a selfie with the Prince.
Lindelof also explained the background of this scene with a laugh during an interview. He said that he had previously met Prince William, so he was not unfamiliar: "I've seen him before, so I know him a little bit. I thought I should help out." These words made this seemingly ordinary photo even more relaxed and interesting, becoming a heartwarming moment in the post-match celebration.
In fact, this match held significant meaning for Lindelof. After joining the team and experiencing multiple European campaigns, he finally lifted the championship trophy this time. He admitted that this feeling was very special: "This means a lot to me. I've been close to winning before, like reaching semifinals and finals, but always just missed out. Winning this time, especially in a European competition, feels even more precious."
He added that this victory belongs not only to individual players but also to the entire team and fans: "Being able to win here and celebrate with teammates, family, and fans feels fantastic."
And off the field, Prince William's presence also made this championship night even more newsworthy. According to multiple media reports, the British heir to the throne is a loyal Aston Villa fan. He not only watched the entire match from the stands but also entered the locker room after the final whistle to participate in the celebration, raising a toast with the players. On-site footage showed the Prince in high spirits, cheering and celebrating with players and fans after the team won the championship, even shedding tears at one point.
The scene of Lindelof's wife taking a photo with the Prince was also considered one of the most relaxed and everyday moments of the entire evening's celebration. On a championship night full of passion and glory, such a simple selfie moment, ironically, became a popular topic among media and fans.
At the same time, this victory also marks a major breakthrough for Aston Villa. For the first time since 1982, the team has won a major European trophy again, regaining the European title after 44 years. In the final, they established an early advantage with stable performance and efficient offense, ultimately securing a 3-0 victory. After the match, a large number of fans poured into and outside the stadium to celebrate, making Istanbul buzz all night.
For Lindelof, this night was undoubtedly a memorable moment in his career: he not only gained championship honors but also shared this glorious moment with his family, and left behind a relaxed and interesting "royal selfie anecdote" after the match. As he himself said, football is not just about wins and losses, but also about the memories made of these moments.