Jones: Not many can match my World Cup record
Phil Jones has revealed to UTD Podcast the immense pride he feels about his international career.
The defender has not played a game for United since January of last year, due to a terrible run of luck with injury, but was a regular for his country as recently as the last World Cup.
In Russia, the Three Lions made it all the way to the semi-final – their joint-best effort since winning the competition in 1966 – and Jones featured twice.
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It made him one of a select number of Englishmen to represent the country at two World Cups, following an appearance in Brazil back in 2014.
And Jones says that the time he has spent on the sidelines during recent years has made him truly appreciate the stature of his achievements.
“It’s definitely something I’m proud of,” Jones told co-presenters Sam Homewood, Helen Evans and David May.
“Not many people can say they have played in two World Cups. Maybe I wasn’t a starter, but to be one of those players to be chosen by England to represent your country at any level, especially two World Cups and the Euros again, is something that I’m proud of.
“I’ve got the shirts that I wore. Definitely, a proud moment.”
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Jones gave a frank and emotional interview to the Podcast, where he opened up on the mental struggles that often go with injury and time spent in the football spotlight.
In fact, while expanding on his international career, he explained that even the good times are often accompanied by personal challenges that test footballers in unexpected ways.
In 2018, just before the tournament in Russia, Phil's partner gave birth to the couple's first child, only for professional commitments to take Jones away from his newly expanded family for a lengthy period of time.
“That one was difficult,” he admitted. “It was tough. She was born and I had to go straight to the World Cup in Russia. We got so far in the competition, we got to the semi-final and got knocked out to Croatia.
“To be away for five weeks from your newly born first child and my wife was tough. It was a really tough period but one you look back on and say you got through.
”I don’t think people get lost in football, but they get lost in the image of football, the games, talking about football and stuff. But you don’t realise I’m just a normal guy behind the football who goes home to his family and takes his kids to the park. Definitely, that gets lost sometimes.”
UTD Podcast with Phil Jones will be released in our Official App, before any other platform, from 17:00 BST on Monday.
UTD Podcast with Phil Jones will be released in our Official App, before any other platform, from 17:00 BST on Monday.
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