Rio Ferdinand
Manchester United and England captain Rio Ferdinand has admitted that he covered up the extent of his back problems.
In an interview with News of the World, Ferdinand said that his back injury earlier this season was so severe that he couldn't move properly.
Ferdinand said, "My back would go into spasm and I wouldn't be able to move… I couldn't straighten up properly.
"The day after a game I would waddle into the club like a duck, bent over like an old hunchback.
"I would be hobbling around, unable to train for four or five days. I would be OK to play the next game, but I must have missed 60-70 per cent of training.
"So my fitness deteriorated. But, as a footballer, you think you are super human; you don't think anything will stop you playing."
Ferdinand admitted that his back problems were impacting on his performances for Manchester United .
"To sort it for good would mean stop playing, but I was thinking: 'I'm getting through games, so why stop?'
"I wanted to stay in the team, I want to win trophies, so to not play was unthinkable. I thought if I can patch myself up during the week to get through each game I'd be fine.
"If I'm honest, I didn't make it clear to the gaffer and the club physios that my injury was that serious.
"I just had an incredible desire to play football and had never had to deal with an injury of this scale before."
Things came to a head after Fernando Torres had got the better of Ferdinand during Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Manchester United at Anfield earlier this season.
Ferdinand said, "But I was summoned into the manager's office after the Liverpool defeat.
"He told me: 'Last season, Torres would not have scored that goal against you'. As soon as he said that, you sit up and take notice."
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson ordered Ferdinand to take a complete rest. The centre-back now believes that he is back to fitness and in a position to win trophies.
"Now, I want to play as many games as I can for Manchester United and England", said Ferdinand.
"I am greedy. I want to win the Premier League, the Champions League and the World Cup, too."
