It’s a popular opinion that the life of a football player is easy. You do what you like, earn vast amounts, travel to the most beautiful cities, drive the most impressive cars, meet exceptional people, and everybody knows about you. Simply, you’re living the dream of many.However, occasionally, some footballers appear and open their hearts just to remind us that they are still normal human beings with everyday problems that are not different from other people’s. And in some cases, unfortunately, they are absolutely contrasting. The pressure at the biggest stages is immense, and everyone is allowed to criticize. Only people who have gone through it know how hard it is to cope with it. Ten Hag or Sancho? Has United’s captain chosen the side?One of them is former Man United defender Phil Jones, who, speaking for The Sun, confessed to the difficult period he had been going through while playing.”I’d been through that much trauma mentally. Anybody who tells you that it doesn’t is lying. And as footballers you have to put this mask on. You get paid a lot of money so you are not allowed to have feelings or emotions,” said Jones.The former England international had numerous injury issues throughout his career, which seriously affected his mental stability. Ultimately, the knee problems caused him to eventually retire at only 31. “The physical injuries made me mentally weak at times. But my coping mechanism was to be silent, put my guard up, my shield up around with my really close family. I wouldn’t even really communicate with my friends that well,” he admitted.Phil Jones sends a classy goodbye to Manchester United ❤️ pic.twitter.com/MeY1RDv9Qu— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 19, 2023 At times, even walking down the street was stressful, with people being rude and aggressive towards the former defender without knowing what he was experiencing.”You’d go past people in the street and they’d say something and it would really aggravate you and get to you. You just hear people whispering, “Oh there he is, f**king injury-prone.” People say, “you shouldn’t take that money then.” If they only knew what I was doing behind the scenes to get right. I found it really hard to go to restaurants for years. You put your head down when you’re walking through crowds and stuff. I didn’t want people to spot me,” Jones revealed.After…• 229 games• 10 seasons• 7 managers• 6 titles Phil Jones is set to draw a line under his career at Man Utd 👏 pic.twitter.com/nKiMPTpObg— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) May 19, 2023 The 32-year-old started his career at Blackburn Rovers, spending seven years in youth categories and two more at the senior squad, before moving to Man United in 2011 in a transfer worth around €20 million. Jones wore the Red Devils’ jersey for 12 years and won four trophies (Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield, and UEFA Europa League), making 229 appearances.While he pursues coaching career, his former club will begin its journey in the EFL Cup tonight against League One side Barnsley at Old Trafford. After two consecutive Premier League losses, Erik ten Hag’s crew beat Southampton 3-0 and now awaits the duel with the Tykes in a significantly better atmosphere.ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP1/16 finalsTuesday21.30: (1.50) Stoke (4.00) Fleetwood (6.00)21.45: (2.15) Everton (3.35) Southampton (3.15)21.45: (1.30) Brentford (4.90) Leyton (9.50)21.45: (4.50) Preston (3.50) Fulham (1.75)21.45: (5.80) QPR (3.80) Crystal Palace (1.55)21.45: (2.60) Blackpool (3.25) Sheffield W. (2.55)22.00: (1.20) Man.Utd. (6.25) Barnsley (11.0)***odds are subject to change***
