June 14th 2024.
John Stones was worried sick that he might not be able to participate in Euro 2024. The defender for Manchester City had a terrifying experience during England's final warm-up game for the tournament. Stones thought he had broken his foot and would have to miss out on playing in the Euros. This was a devastating thought for the 30-year-old who has 72 caps for his country.
During the game against Iceland, Stones played alongside Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The two were expected to be defensive partners in England's first game against Serbia. However, Stones was forced to leave the match at halftime due to a heavy knock he received early on. He immediately began to worry that his dream of playing in the Euros might be over.
Stones shared, "I was worried at first, just the way I landed on my foot. I knew it wasn't my knee or ankle because of the way I landed. It felt like my big toe was hit and I thought I might have fractured it." The fear of missing out on such a major tournament was overwhelming for Stones. But luckily, his worst fears were not realized. He was relieved to find out that the injury was minor and he would be able to play.
"It was a huge relief for me," Stones admitted. "I was ready to do whatever it takes to recover quickly. With my history of injuries, I know how to handle them mentally and stay positive. I didn't want to miss out on this opportunity."
Stones was back on the field for training, but his preparations for the Euros were not over yet. He fell ill with a stomach bug shortly after arriving in Germany. This was another setback for the six-time Premier League winner. He missed training and was confined to his hotel room as he recovered.
Sharing his experience, Stones said, "I haven't been this sick in a long time. It was a rough 36 hours. I felt quite alone in my hotel room. Back home, I would have had my family and friends to support me, but here I was by myself. I couldn't even eat or drink much because it would come back up."
Reflecting on his illness, Stones realized how fortunate he has been with his health over the years. He said, "It really made me appreciate the importance of good health. I rarely get sick or have any health issues. So this was a wake-up call for me. But I am grateful that I was able to recover quickly and return to training."
Despite the setbacks, Stones is determined to be ready for England's first game against Serbia. He has been working hard to catch up on the training he missed and feels physically ready for the challenge. "I am feeling great now," Stones said confidently. "I have been doing extra work after training and in the gym. I am looking forward to the tournament and giving my best for my country."
England is hoping to win their first major trophy in men's football since 1966. With tough opponents like Denmark and Slovenia in Group C, it won't be an easy journey. But Stones and his teammates are ready to give it their all and make their country proud. No matter what obstacles come their way, they are determined to bring the trophy home.
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