Chelsea captain John Terry claims it has been over five years since he played injury free and worries about his post-football wellbeing.
The Blues defender, who turns 30 later this month, is facing an extended period on the sidelines due to a nagging nerve problem in his right leg, which recent forced him into having regular pain-killing injections.
Terry, though, has decided to finally get to the root of the problem and part of the reason for that is because he is planning for life after football.
"The last time I played fit? Maybe five years, maybe more, I can't really remember," Terry told The Daily Mail.
"If you can take an anti-inflammatory and struggle through, you do.
"Games are not so bad because the adrenaline keeps you going, but training on a daily basis when every time you move it hurts - that is a real battle.
"The pain from this injury is the worst I have had, there is no way I can continue.
"I'm 30 next month and I've got to start looking after myself."
The England international famously said in the past that he would happily spend his retirement in a wheelchair if it meant he had enjoyed a successful career, but he has now had a rethink.
He added: "It's funny, I was reading what I said about ending up in a wheelchair the other day and I thought to myself, 'You know mate, that's probably not your best plan'.
"I still say if the ball is there to be won I will go for it, whether with my head or whatever, and if it means us scoring or stopping a goal I won't think twice.
"But counting medals in a wheelchair? I'd rather play with my kids in the garden, thank you very much. I hope people will appreciate that.
"I'd like to re-think the wheelchair idea, please."
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The Blues defender, who turns 30 later this month, is facing an extended period on the sidelines due to a nagging nerve problem in his right leg, which recent forced him into having regular pain-killing injections.
Terry, though, has decided to finally get to the root of the problem and part of the reason for that is because he is planning for life after football.
"The last time I played fit? Maybe five years, maybe more, I can't really remember," Terry told The Daily Mail.
"If you can take an anti-inflammatory and struggle through, you do.
"Games are not so bad because the adrenaline keeps you going, but training on a daily basis when every time you move it hurts - that is a real battle.
"The pain from this injury is the worst I have had, there is no way I can continue.
"I'm 30 next month and I've got to start looking after myself."
The England international famously said in the past that he would happily spend his retirement in a wheelchair if it meant he had enjoyed a successful career, but he has now had a rethink.
He added: "It's funny, I was reading what I said about ending up in a wheelchair the other day and I thought to myself, 'You know mate, that's probably not your best plan'.
"I still say if the ball is there to be won I will go for it, whether with my head or whatever, and if it means us scoring or stopping a goal I won't think twice.
"But counting medals in a wheelchair? I'd rather play with my kids in the garden, thank you very much. I hope people will appreciate that.
"I'd like to re-think the wheelchair idea, please."
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