DELE ALLI has broken his silence following his embarrassing 29th-minute substitution at Besiktas.
The former Tottenham and England hero, 26, joined the Turkish giants in the summer after a dismal spell at Everton.
As he looked to rebuild his faltering career, Alli started brightly with a goal in his second league match before a thigh problem sidelined him.
However, it has been all downhill for the 2019 Champions League finalist since.
He failed to register a goal or assist in his five league games before the World Cup break.
Then, on his return to the pitch in a cup match against third tier side Sanliurfasport, he was taken off BEFORE the half hour mark on Wednesday.
However, despite this week’s embarrassment, he has taken to social media to insist his love for football will ensure that he never gives up.
Alli posted a shot of himself hugging a ball tight to his chest while in training at Besiktas on his Instagram.
And he captioned it with: “You saved my life. That’s why I will always love you.”
Alli was replaced by fellow ex-Spurs man Gedson Fernandes as one of two early changes made by manager Senol Gunes and fans appeared to boo him as he left the pitch.
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At the time of the substitutions, Alli’s Besiktas were trailing 2-0 as a stunning upset looked to be on the cards.
But an impressive second-half fightback saw the top-flight outfit turn things around to secure a 4-2 win.
Alli was recently criticised by Besiktas sporting director Ceyhun Kazanci for his poor performances.
Kazanci told TRT Spor: “No one can answer whether Dele Alli can do it right now.
“He is working very hard. He is a player who reached €100million (£87m) three years ago. He had a fall.
“Dele Alli is working intensively. We had intense talks with him before we signed him.
“Senol [Gunes] is famous for returning many players whose careers have been on the decline.
“We hope that he will be better in the second half of the season.”
