'Last season was tough' – Stones reveals injury struggles made him consider retiring
After struggling with injuries throughout his career, John Stones said that the issues last year almost forced him to retire from football.
England and Manchester City defender John Stones has revealed he considered retiring last season due to his struggles with injury.
Stones was limited to just 20 appearances in all competitions in 2024-25 after struggling with ankle and hamstring issues, the latter ending his season in February.
The 31-year-old has played six times for Pep Guardiola's side this campaign, five of which have been from the start, earning him a place in England's recent squad.
England face Wales in an international friendly on Thursday before travelling to Riga to face Latvia five days later, knowing a win will seal their spot at next year's World Cup.
"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."
Stones' injury issues during his time with City have seen him fail to make more than 27 Premier League appearances in a single campaign since his debut season in 2016-17.
"There comes a point where you don't know why it happens," Stones added.
"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."
Of the current crop of Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad, Stones is one of the more senior players in the ranks, having made 83 appearances for his country.
The defender has also featured in five major tournaments for the Three Lions, and that experience has proved invaluable for Tuchel when selecting his squads.
Stones was named in the England squad in June despite being injured, joining Tuchel and his players in Spain for a warm-weather training camp.
The England boss recently stated that no player is guaranteed a place in his England squad for the World Cup, and left out Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish.
"My love for England, I think it's difficult to put into words. I love England so much - I love playing for England," Stones said.
"I have had some of the best moments in my career playing for England [and at] tournaments.
"When he [Tuchel] said, 'will I come out and be with the guys and continue my training', it was a no-brainer.
"I wanted to be there, be around the guys. He saw it from so many points of view.
"I hadn't been around the team [and] he knew that I was lonely training by myself, being in a difficult spot.
"[But also] to be a presence, to be someone to speak to, a vent for the younger guys.
"I suppose knowing that someone [who is not fit] is willing to come and be part of a team, that shows a great deal to the lads that are coming into the squad and what England has and has created over the years.
"For me to come and show my face, offer advice, be a good team-mate - it was a special moment."
