Manchester City and England defender John Stones has opened up about a difficult period in his career, revealing that he considered retiring last season because of constant injury setbacks.
The 31-year-old made only 11 Premier League appearances for City last season as he struggled with foot and hamstring injuries — the latter keeping him out since February.
Speaking with BBC Sport, Stones said the repeated injuries took a huge mental toll on him.
“Last season was tough for me — to the point where I thought about stopping,” he admitted. “I didn’t want to do it, but I’d had enough of doing everything right, being professional, and still breaking down. It was a very difficult place to be.”
The defender, who has represented England in five major tournaments, hasn’t played for the national team since October 2024. But with Thomas Tuchel now in charge as England’s manager, Stones has been recalled for the upcoming friendly against Wales at Wembley and the crucial World Cup qualifier against Latvia on October 14, 2025.
A win in Riga would secure England’s spot at next summer’s World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Since joining Manchester City from Everton in 2016, injuries have limited Stones’ availability, preventing him from making more than 27 league appearances in a single season.
Reflecting on that frustration, he said:
“There comes a point where you don’t even know why it keeps happening. When you work so hard and do everything right, it’s mentally draining. You start asking questions you can’t answer. Hopefully, I never go back to that place again.”
So far this season, Stones has made five starts, though Pep Guardiola appears to prefer a defensive pairing of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.
Despite the struggles, the England international said he’s rediscovered his fighting spirit.
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“My emotions were all over the place then. I wasn’t thinking straight, and I don’t think I’d have ever really walked away,” he said.
“When City once suggested I needed a new challenge, I told them I was going to fight. That’s who I am, and that’s what I’ve done since I was a kid — so why stop now? That fight and that winning mentality are still in me.”
