Manchester City and England defender John Stones has opened up about the toll of recurring injuries last season, admitting he considered walking away from football at one point.

The 31-year-old centre-back was restricted to just 11 Premier League appearances during the 2024/25 campaign, plagued by persistent foot and hamstring issues.

The latter sidelined him from February onward and kept him out of the national team setup for nearly a year.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Stones revealed the physical and emotional challenges that led him to question his future in the game.

Despite the setbacks, the experienced defender who has featured in five major international tournaments has earned a recall to the England squad under new manager Thomas Tuchel.

He is set to feature in the upcoming friendly against Wales at Wembley, as well as the crucial World Cup qualifier against Latvia on October 14. A win in Riga would seal England’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“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, only to then keep breaking down and not having the answers. It was a very difficult place to be in.”

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Injuries have hindered Stones from making more than 27 appearances in a single league campaign for City, who he joined 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 continued.

“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.”

Stones has experienced five starts this season, though Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola appears to favour a centre-back partnership of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

“My emotions were high. I wasn’t thinking straight. I don’t think deep down I would have ever done it [retired],” said Stones.

“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.”