James Milner: People are always going to doubt you prove them wrong'

"There's people who are always going to doubt you but that's always something that's been at my forefront: to prove them wrong. Some things don't change, Milner says with a chuckle when asked whether his desire to prove people wrong was as strong as ever after his 40th birthday last month."

"He knew what I was like and he used to say: You don't work hard enough, you're not going to make it. He'd never say it in a horrible way or anything like that. But he'd be like: You got no chance of scoring the goal from there. And then [I would] take free-kicks and two shots later it's in the top corner."

"I think most people—the surgeon, the physio, people who knew what I had, probably every single person—thought I was finished; at my age being a footballer and what I had. So it was probably that same thing that meant I'm still playing now: not to finish your career in a way that wasn't really in your control."

James Milner achieved the Premier League appearance record at age 40, driven by a Yorkshire trait of sheer determination and a desire to prove doubters wrong. His father instilled a fighting spirit during his formative years, constantly challenging him to work harder and perform better. This mindset carried Milner through 24 seasons across six clubs including Leeds, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Brighton. His lifestyle choices—being teetotal, practicing yoga, and asking questions—supported his longevity. After knee surgery in 2024 left him unable to walk, most believed his career was finished. However, his characteristic determination drove his nine-month recovery, allowing him to return and continue playing, refusing to end his career on terms beyond his control.

Read at www.theguardian.com