Man City defender John Stones nearly retired last season due to injury concerns

Martin Macdonald

• 7 Oct 2025 05:01 CDT
• 2 min read

News

Manchester City defender John Stones has admitted that he considered retiring last season due to persistent injury problems.

The England international only made 11 appearances in the Premier League in 2024/25 after suffering from foot and hamstring problems.

That hamstring issue saw his season end in February.

The injuries also impacted his England career as he has not played for the Three Lions in a year and is yet to feature under new head coach Thomas Tuchel.

"Last season was tough for me, to the point where I thought about stopping," Stones told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"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."

Injuries have consistently haunted the defender throughout his Man City career as he has never hit the 30-appearance mark in a single Premier League campaign for Pep Guardiola's side.

"My emotions were high. I wasn't thinking straight. I don't think deep down I would have ever done it [retired]," he continued.

"I said years ago when City wanted me to have a new challenge, I said 'I am going to fight'.

"That's all I have known since I was a kid - why should I stop that now? So yes, there is that fight in me and that winning mentality that doesn't want to stop."

Things appear to be improving for Stones, though, as he has made five starts in the Premier League so far this season and was called up to the England squad by Tuchel for the upcoming matches versus Wales in a friendly and Latvia in a World Cup Qualifier.

His contract with City expires next summer, though there has been talk of an extension recently due to improved luck with injuries.

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