Manchester City defender John Stones has admitted he came close to quitting football after a series of serious injuries.
The England international, now 31, missed more than 30 matches across all competitions last term due to persistent hamstring and foot problems.
Those setbacks ruled him out of the national team setup since Thomas Tuchel took charge in January, though he is expected to be in contention for England’s upcoming fixtures against Wales and Latvia.
“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, but I had had enough of being so professional, doing everything right, and then breaking down again without any clear answers. It was a very difficult place to be in.”
The City defender made only 11 Premier League appearances during the 2024–25 campaign, a sharp drop from his usual role as one of Pep Guardiola’s defensive pillars. Stones said the uncertainty over his fitness took a major toll on him.
“There comes a point where you don’t know why it keeps happening,” he added. “It’s even harder when you’ve done everything possible to stay fit.
“When that effort still doesn’t pay off, it becomes mentally exhausting. Hopefully I don’t go back to that place.”
Despite the emotional strain, Stones said his fighting spirit eventually pulled him through. “My emotions were high. I wasn’t thinking straight. Deep down I don’t think I would have ever done it [retired],” he said.
“When City wanted me to face a new challenge years ago, I said, ‘I’m going to fight.’ That’s all I’ve ever known since I was a kid, why stop now?”
Now fully fit again, Stones has returned to training and remains determined to re-establish himself as a key figure for both City and England this season.
