"I didn't want to do it. I had had enough of being so professional and trying to do everything right in my power, to then keep breaking down and not having the answers. It was a very difficult place to be in."
"There comes a point where you don't know why it happens and it is even harder when you put in so much effort, or you are ultra professional, to be able to play and be available,"
"When that time comes and something happens, it would be easier to say 'well I didn't do X, Y and Z that's why' - but when you do it, it's then mentally challenging. Hopefully I don't go back to that place."
John Stones considered retiring after a season disrupted by a foot problem and hamstring issues that limited him to 11 Premier League appearances and ended his campaign in February. Persistent injuries have prevented him from making more than 27 league appearances in a single season since joining Manchester City from Everton in 2016. Stones described being ultra-professional yet repeatedly breaking down without answers and experiencing a difficult mental state. He has not played for England since October 2024 but is included in squads for upcoming friendly with Wales and the World Cup qualifier in Latvia, where victory would secure World Cup qualification.
Read at www.bbc.com
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