England midfielder reveals he's played through injury since Christmas
Declan Rice has sent a stark warning about player welfare after disclosing he has been playing with nerve pain in his hamstring for the last six months. The Arsenal midfielder was substituted in the 72nd minute of England's 4-2 World Cup win over Croatia, sparking fears he could miss the crucial Group G encounter with Ghana. But Rice insists he is "ready and fit" for the match in Boston on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old described his early exit against Croatia as a "smart" precaution, rather than a sign of a new injury. "It’s something I’ve been managing since Christmas," Rice revealed. "The pain is in the upper hamstring and radiates into my lower back. It’s a nerve issue that flares up from time to time, especially with the amount of football we play."
Rice slams 'obscene' fixture congestion
Rice didn't hold back when discussing the relentless schedule that has seen elite players compete in an expanded Premier League, the Champions League, and now a 48-team World Cup. "It’s obscene," he said. "The number of matches we’re expected to play at the top level—for club and country—is pushing players to the limit. Something has to give. You can’t keep rolling out the same players every three days and expect them to be fully fit."
His comments echo growing concerns from players' unions and medical experts about the toll of the modern football calendar. Rice's own workload at Arsenal this season included over 50 appearances across all competitions, often playing through the pain to help the Gunners in their Premier League title challenge before heading straight into World Cup preparations.
All eyes on Boston as England face Ghana
Despite the injury cloud, Rice is adamant he will be available for the clash against the Black Stars, which could secure England’s place in the knockout stages. "I’ve trained fully and I’m fine. The substitution the other day was just to manage the minutes. I’m ready to give everything for the team," he added.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to name Rice in the starting lineup, provided there are no setbacks in the final pre-match session. The three points against Ghana would put England in a commanding position in Group G, with qualification to the Round of 32 almost assured.
Key Takeaways
- Declan Rice has been managing a nerve-related hamstring issue for six months, with pain radiating to his lower back.
- He was substituted as a precaution during England's 4-2 win over Croatia but insists he is fit for the Ghana match.
- Rice labels the current football schedule "obscene" and warns about player burnout.
- The midfielder is expected to start for England in the World Cup group game on Tuesday in Boston.
Quick Facts
Player: Declan Rice
Club: Arsenal
Injury: Nerve pain in upper hamstring (since December 2025)
Next match: England vs Ghana, World Cup Group G, Tuesday, Boston
Rice's 2025-26 appearances: 50+ for club and country
