The previous Premier League ace would’ve reasonably headed for an early retirement than play into his thirties.
The ex-Liverpool ace performed over 300 instances for the membership (Picture: Getty) This text incorporates affiliate hyperlinks, we’ll obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Study extra
Turning into an expert soccer participant is what most children develop up dreaming of. However for one ex-Premier League ace, he needs he’d have packed it in earlier.
Jamie Redknapp notched up over 300 appearances for Liverpool, however the former midfielder has admitted he’d have been happier retiring in his mid-twenties. Redknapp ultimately continued till he was 31, however claimed he solely caught round for the cash.
Talking in a tell-all interview with The i, he mentioned: “I used to be too desperate to please everyone [during his career], getting back from accidents too shortly. I had my meniscus (knee cartilage) taken out once I was 18 or 19 and I performed once more 12 days later, which was simply utterly ridiculous.
“I retired at 31 however I ought to have retired at 26 or 27. On the finish it was simply virtually mercenary, doing it for the cash and I didn’t get pleasure from it – I couldn’t play to the extent I needed. I used to be doing it for the mistaken causes, however you suppose you’ve received a household and also you’re a very long time retired. You don’t know what your profession goes seem like, I didn’t know what I used to be going to do subsequent”
Redknapp was at all times underneath an added quantity of stress from an early age, given his father, Harry, was already a longtime supervisor within the skilled sport. But it surely wasn’t simply his dad who got here from a soccer background, given his grandad was additionally a participant, whereas Jamie’s cousin, Frank Lampard, went on to develop into one of many biggest Premier League stars of all time.
“My grandad was such a incredible footballer, so I’d simply watch him. We’d go on vacation to Isle of Sheppey, at a caravan website, and we’d be taking part in soccer for hours and hours.”
Earlier than including: “In Bournemouth I clearly had my dad to look as much as, however having a brother three years older than me who was a gifted footballer was ideally suited preparation for all times within the sport. Each single image I’ve a soccer in my hand. These days in Bournemouth as an apprentice, on £27 every week, have been as a lot enjoyable on the pitch as I’ve ever had.”
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