England’s Ivan Toney is a striker with the Midas touch. He is a goal machine in the Premier League side of Brentford. Though he played minimally at the UEFA Euro in England’s colors, he has proved intensely potent for the Three Lions. Thanks to Toney’s ace vision, he set up skipper Harry Kane for a header to complete England’s clutch Ro16 win against Slovakia. Then, the penalty expert in Toney gave Gareth Southgate a breather, as England saw off Switzerland in the quarter-final. Where does Toney get this zeal to show up big for his team when needed?

In an interview, he said he is powered by the ambition to repay his mother Lisa, who sacrificed meals so that Toney could eat as a teenager. Let’s delve a bit deeper into Lisa’s struggle-filled yet inspiring story.

All about Ivan Toney’s mom Lisa and her struggles as a single mother

Ivan Toney’s mother Lisa hails from Jamaica, and she migrated to Northampton, England. Ivan Toney Sr was absent during the Brentford striker’s childhood and it was Lisa who solely raised him, two sisters, and two half-brothers. Toney’s sisters Jemma and Jasmine share the same parents. But his two brothers only share the same mother. Nothing is known about the profession Lisa practiced to raise four children alone. It was perhaps a blue-collar job, as she had to cut down her meals to make sure her kids were healthy.

“There were times when she even skipped meals to make sure I was eating. I only found this out a few months back when she mentioned it casually during a family discussion. Hearing that makes you realize you don’t always understand what your parents do for you until you look back and think about it,” said Ivan Toney in a recent interview. He added he could easily repay his mother by buying her material possessions, but she is not that kind of woman. He said, “She just tells me, ‘The way you can repay me is to score a goal and then another goal.’

Now, let’s also examine who is Ivan Toney’s father and a recent bizarre incident that happened to him.

Ivan Toney Sr had his watch stolen in Germany during the UEFA Euros

Ivan Toney Sr hails from Saint Vincent and he also later migrated to England. Though he has been absent during Toney Jr’s childhood, the father and son have now reconciled. If they don’t have a good equation together, why would Toney Sr come to Germany to watch his son and the Three Lions? After watching England’s first game win over Serbia, Toney Sr had his watch stolen at the Hotel Melia in Dusseldorf.

Hotel Melia, notably, housed the families of England players who traveled to Germany for the Euros. Toney Sr’s watch was a luxurious Rolex Day Just timepiece that cost more than $50,000. It is unclear if it is a gift from the Brentford striker. The latest developments of the robbery are also unknown. Anyhow, it is clear that Toney’s family would be there to cheer him and the Lions, as they face a mighty Spain in the championship game on Sunday.