'Sometimes I end up in a wheelchair for a couple of days'

Adrenaline pulls you forward, and the desire to prove yourself won’t let you give up. It pushes you beyond your limits and keeps you from even thinking about the consequences that might arise in the future. That was the case with Rio Ferdinand, who by his own admission played for years while relying on painkillers—something that later affected his health. The former England international and Manchester United defender spoke in an interview with the British edition of Men’s Health about the problems that persist even 11 years after he hung up his boots.

A successful career brought numerous injuries, which now force him to occasionally use a wheelchair.

“I've had a bad back for a long time. I've got injuries that I had from my career... I was on tablets and injections for six years to play games. That's affected me. I get some bad moments of back pain where I have to be in a hospital for a couple of days or in a wheelchair for a couple of days. It's mad, but it just comes out of nowhere. I've been seeing a physio for the first time since I retired. He's been doing loads of manipulations and whatnot and within his building there's also my personal trainer, so he feeds him information about my training. There's a holistic approach to what I'm doing now and hopefully that's going to put me in good stead“ he admitted.

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As a six-time Premier League champion and winner of 14 trophies, Ferdinand could probably be enjoying the rewards of a great, globally recognized career and fully relaxing in retirement. However, despite the pain that does not leave him, Ferdinand strives to maintain healthy habits and stay as active as possible.

“I have children who need to be taught a work ethic. My kids need to see me getting up and going to work. They need to see me and my wife Kate going to the gym. I want them to have a healthy lifestyle and to think that going to the gym—or at least going for a walk—is normal. And I don’t want to just tell my kids that; they have to see it. But also, if I’m being honest, I need to go to work for my mental health. I love working; my mum and dad worked“ said Rio.

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After several years spent on television, Ferdinand moved to Dubai with his family.

“My life was driven by the match schedule when I was playing football, and then after my career I was a pundit. You don’t get many opportunities in life to make a big change, to experience an adventure, step out of your comfort zone, and explore something new. That’s what my family and I wanted to do” Ferdinand concluded.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 26

Tuesday

22.30: (1.57) Chelsea (4.00) Leeds (6.00)

22.30: (2.45) Everton (3.50) Bournemouth (3.05)

22.30: (3.35) Tottenham (3.50) Newcastle (2.25)

23.15: (4.30) West Ham (4.35) Manchester United (1.75)

Wednesday

22.30: (1.95) Aston Villa (3.50) Brighton (3.90)

22.30: (1.60) Crystal Palace (4.00) Burnley (6.50)

22.30: (1.37) Manchester City (5.15) Fulham (8.00)

22.30: (1.75) Nottingham Forest (3.70) Wolverhampton (5.40)

23.15: (5.40) Sunderland (3.70) Liverpool (1.75)

Thursday

21.00: (4.90) Brentford (3.60) Arsenal (1.75)

***odds are subject to change***