Northern Ireland international Dan Ballard recently gained his first experience of European club competition, stepping onto the pitch during Sunderland’s 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League. The match marked Sunderland’s return to European football after a 53-year absence. Ballard, 27, who came off the bench in the second half, described the atmosphere and style of play as reminiscent of international fixtures with Northern Ireland.

“I was quite surprised how similar it was to the international games, the style of football and just the whole feel of the night,” Ballard said. He added that his international experience, along with fellow Northern Ireland defender Trai Hume’s, should serve them well as Sunderland competes in the Europa League this season.

Standing at 6ft 2in, Ballard has built a reputation as a strong, no-nonsense defender who poses a threat on set-pieces, having scored five goals for Northern Ireland to date. In domestic play, he recently faced top Premier League competition, including a physical encounter with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. This came just days after Ballard was involved in a controversial penalty incident during a match against Arsenal, his boyhood club. The penalty was awarded after a confrontation with Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa, but subsequently, the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel reviewed the decision and unanimously agreed that the penalty was incorrect.

Ballard commented on the incident before the panel’s ruling, emphasizing that his primary aim is to win the ball and that his aggressive style sometimes treads a fine line. He acknowledged the challenges referees face and noted that his physical presence has made him a marked man when attacking corners.

Since making his international debut in September 2020, Ballard has been a mainstay in Northern Ireland’s defense, although injuries have limited him to 33 appearances. He missed recent international camps due to a hamstring injury and was sidelined during Northern Ireland’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying play-off defeat to Italy in March, a setback that has only increased his determination to help his national side reach a major tournament.

With the Nations League campaign kicking off away to Georgia, Ballard and Northern Ireland are also setting their sights on qualification for Euro 2028. Reflecting on the team’s current composition, Ballard described the squad as young but improving, with a blend of youth and experience. He noted the strength of the 2016 squad but remains optimistic that the current group can eventually achieve similar success.

“I’m getting a little bit older now, and I want to play at a major tournament,” Ballard said. “We’ve got a few more chances, and we’ll be raring to go.”