Declan Rice reveals secret ‘behind-the-scenes’ struggle he faced which led to early World Cup substitution | Football News:
The England midfielder said he has been dealing with hamstring nerve pain since Christmas as he opened the physical volume of a 63-game season and reassured fans about his fitness for Ghana.England’s opening win over Croatia gave Thomas Tuchel almost everything he wanted from the start of the World Cup campaign. Harry Kane scored twice, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford added further goals, and a 4-2 win in Dallas immediately bolstered England’s hopes of finishing top of Group L.The only worry came with 18 minutes left.Declan Rice, one of England’s most important players and the midfielder around whom most of the team’s balance is built, was withdrawn in the 72nd minute. Given the midfielder’s importance to Arsenal and the timing of the substitution, concern quickly spread when England suffered a significant injury after just one game in the tournament.Rice revealed today that the decision is related to the issue that he has been quietly managing for more than six months.Far from being a new injury, the problem began on Christmas and has remained largely hidden from the public even as Rice continues to play through one of the poorest seasons of his career.
England fans don’t know about the injury problem
Speaking after the match, Rice explained that he had been dealing with neuralgia in his hamstring since midway through Arsenal’s domestic campaign.“I think it’s a smart decision,” Rice told ITV Sport.“I felt a bit of neuralgia in my hamstring, which I managed after Christmas with Arsenal for a long time.“Obviously, not a lot of people know that. It’s all behind the scenes stuff.”The issue affected the upper part of the hamstring, with the pain radiating to his lower back, but Rice made it clear that England’s medical staff and coaching team viewed the substitution as a precaution rather than a response to a serious setback.The midfielder feels that time is of the essence as the closing stages of games are often when accumulated fatigue puts the greatest strain on the body.“But it was a smart decision,” he said.“In the end, that last 20 minutes is probably where you choose the most, and it’s where you play a 70-minute game, but that last 20 is when you feel your body going through it.”
A time that rarely stops
Rice’s comments also provide insight into the extraordinary demands placed on elite players during the modern football calendar.England’s World Cup opener against Croatia will be his 63rd game of the 2025-26 season.Fifty-five of those appearances came for Arsenal, who enjoyed one of the most successful campaigns in their recent history, winning the Premier League and reaching the final of the Champions League. Rice then added a further eight appearances for England before and during the World Cup.The cumulative workload leaves little room for recovery.Reflecting on the schedule, Rice described the demands as relentless.“It’s an obscene amount of games,” he said.“The schedule is crazy but what can we do with it? You can’t sit back and complain.“We have to keep it up with moments like I had in the Premier League, winning the Premier League.“You know you’re going to play as many games as possible to get that feeling back and know there’s a World Cup at the end of it too.“You know you put your body on the line to always play. It’s been a lot of games but we’ll get our break at the end.”The comments highlight why England will not want to take unnecessary risks against Croatia, especially with two more group stage matches still to play.
Rice eases fears ahead in Ghana
The substitution immediately raised questions about Rice’s availability for England’s second Group L match against Ghana.However, the midfielder was quick to reassure supporters that he remains fully fit and is expected to feature.“I’m ready, I’m fit, raring to go,” he said.“I think it’s a smart decision because the last few days I’ve been feeling really good.”England know that a win over Ghana will put them in a commanding position to secure qualification for the knockout stages, with Rice’s availability all the more important.The midfielder has become one of the most influential players in the squad, providing defensive security while also helping England develop the ball in midfield.
Managing Bukayo Saka’s recovery
Rice also addressed the health situation surrounding his Arsenal and England teammate Bukayo Saka.Saka failed to start against Croatia as he continues to manage a long-standing Achilles issue that has required close monitoring in recent months.The winger did not train with the main group on Saturday, instead following an individual program designed to manage his work and ensure he is available later in the tournament.Although he is not expected to start against Ghana, Rice believes England have handled the situation properly and remains confident Saka will play a key role at the World Cup.“Hundred percent,” Rice said when asked if Saka still had a big part.“The way we handled him was very good.“The amount of football he’s played, I’ve seen him at Arsenal with this little Achilles problem he’s had. We’re managing him the right way for sure.”Saka showed his quality against Croatia despite only appearing as a substitute, setting up Marcus Rashford’s goal after coming on in the second half.
England balances ambition and tenacity
England’s preparations for the tournament include a heat-acclimatization camp in Florida, with Tuchel and his staff placing a strong emphasis on ensuring the squad can cope with the conditions they may face across North America.While the Croatia match was played inside an air-conditioned stadium in Dallas with temperatures set at around 22C, England are expecting tougher conditions later in the tournament.Rice said the players were assured by Tuchel that the team has the physical condition needed to maintain their aggressive style regardless of the weather.“The heat will dictate [our playing style] of spells,” explained Rice.“But the manager is very clear to us and to this team that we have the strength and power to run and beat teams with our strength.”For now, England’s immediate focus remains on Ghana and securing early progress from Group L. Rice’s revelations offer a clearer explanation for the anxiety generated by his substitution against Croatia, while also highlighting the physical reality behind a season that has now reached 63 games.The encouraging news for England is that the midfielder who has quietly shouldered that burden since Christmas insists he is fit, available and ready to continue.
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