John Stones has revealed that the thought of retirement crossed his mind during a challenging 2024/25 season marred by injuries.
His previous campaign concluded in February, as he was limited to just 11 Premier League appearances for Manchester City due to persistent hamstring and foot issues.
The England defender was sidelined for 164 days throughout the year, and his absence was a significant blow to Manchester City’s performance, which saw marked declines in their play.
“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.”
John Stones saw his last season end in February due to injury (PA Wire)
Stones has been selected for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the October international matches, which include a friendly against Wales at Wembley and a World Cup qualifier versus Latvia.
At 31, he hasn’t earned an international cap for the Three Lions since October 2024—before Tuchel’s appointment in January—and a chance for his first appearance under the German was thwarted last month due to yet another muscle issue.
Frequent visits to the treatment room have prevented Stones from exceeding 27 appearances in a single league season since joining City from Everton in 2016.
“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,” Stones remarked.
“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.”
This season, Stones has made five starts for City but faces stiff competition for playing time from Pep Guardiola’s favored center-back duo of Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
Despite this, he is ready for the competition and acknowledges that acting on his retirement thoughts was always unlikely.
“My emotions were high. I wasn’t thinking straight. I don’t think deep down I would have ever done it (retired),” Stones explained.
“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.”
