Phil Jones has opened up about the years of abuse and mental suffering he endured from relentless trolls. The former Manchester United and England defender, who retired last month, shared that he was only able to cope with the torment through the support of a psychologist and therapist.

Jones, 32, avoided public appearances, rarely dined out, and often kept to himself, shunning interactions with teammates. Throughout his 14-year battle with injuries, fans who criticized him were unaware of the severity of his struggles.

Reflecting on his experiences, Jones admitted that his physical pain, particularly from a damaged right knee, was often masked by painkillers and steroids. The mental strain was just as severe, as he revealed, “I’d been through that much trauma mentally.”

Jones first tore his meniscus at 18 while at Blackburn Rovers. Despite being signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for Manchester United, this marked the start of his injury woes. As his absences grew longer, he faced severe abuse both online and in person.

When asked if this affected him, Jones responded, “Anybody who says it doesn’t is lying. As footballers, we often have to wear a mask. You’re paid well, so you’re expected not to have feelings or emotions.”

He added that his physical injuries contributed to his mental struggles, explaining, “People think I wake up and choose to be injured. It’s not like that.”

Jones admitted that he kept his pain hidden and relied on his close family for support, isolating himself from friends and social media. He often heard derogatory comments about his injuries and faced criticism for taking the money despite his struggles.

Despite numerous surgeries and ongoing pain, Jones pushed himself to keep playing. He described how his knee would swell and he would use compression boots, ice, and pool recovery to manage the inflammation. “When I look back, I’m proud of myself for getting through those tough times,” he said.

He also noted that even with strong pain medication, the team doctor often had to inject his knee before games. Despite seeing many specialists, Jones spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch, and he even started arriving late for physiotherapy sessions to avoid the constant questions from teammates.