World Cup 2014: Adam Lallana makes favela gaffe as he describes how ‘to be around players like us may be a life-changing experience’

The England midfielder made the misguided blunder as he visited Rocinha outside Rio

Danny Welbeck and Adam Lallana were among the willing participants in the capoeira session (Getty)

England player Adam Lallana paid a visit to one of Brazil’s favelas on 9 June, and showed a spectacular show of self-importance and lack of perspective with one verbal blunder.

“To be around players like us may be a life-changing experience for them,” said the Southampton midfielder.

Lallana visited the Rocinha slum with fellow teammates Jack Wilshere, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Frazer Forster, ahead of the World Cup which starts tomorrow.

“I didn't really know what to expect,” Lallana told the Guardian.

“People said there were 100,000 people living in the favelas. That's a lot of people. But looking at this backdrop, you can see exactly why. They get on with their lives. It's probably normal for them.”

Southampton referee Mark Clattenberg was accused of verbally accusing Lallana in January, after he claimed that the footballer’s attitude had changed for the worse.

“You are very different now, since you've played for England - you never used to be like this,” said Clattenberg.