John Stones Reveals He Considered Retirement Last Season Due to Injury

A significant emotional setback for the player.

Details: In a conversation with the BBC, 31-year-old England and Manchester City centre-back John Stones discussed the emotional impact of multiple injuries on his career:

“Last season was really hard for me. I even considered quitting. I grew tired of always being professional, trying to do everything right, and then getting injured again without knowing why. It was a tough situation. You reach a point where you don’t understand why it’s happening. It’s even more frustrating when you’re putting in the effort, doing everything right, and still facing setbacks. It would be simpler if there was a clear reason, but when everything seems fine and it still happens, it’s mentally challenging. I hope to never experience that again. My emotions were overwhelming back then. I wasn’t thinking clearly. Deep down, I probably would never truly retire. A few years ago, when City wanted me to seek a new challenge, I said, ‘I will fight.’ That fighting spirit has been with me since childhood, so why stop now? I still have that determination and winning mindset that keeps me going,” Stones shared.

Stones missed nearly the entire season due to a hamstring injury sustained in February. He previously sat out half a season due to a knee injury.

Stones joined Manchester City in 2016 from Everton for €56 million. During his time with the club, he has appeared in 283 matches, scoring 19 goals and providing 9 assists. His current contract with City extends until the summer of 2026, and his market value is estimated at €25 million, according to Transfermarkt.

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