Wayne Bridge's injury explained - When, how and why did he retire?

Wayne Bridge is everyone’s favourite Celebrity SAS star right now.

However, the former professional footballer has been attacked by the SAS staff for his lack of self-belief, with Ant Middleton labelling him the top celebrity recruit physically yet one of the weakest mentally due to a severe lack of confidence.

According to Wayne, his mental issues stem from a range of incidents, including a career-ending football injury. Here’s everything you need to know about Wayne’s career since hanging up his boots.

Love Wayne Bridge. Just a genuine nice guy. #SASWhoDaresWins

— Jimmygoldsmith (@Jimmygoldsmith) April 21, 2019

Screenshot: Celebrity SAS 2019 – Wayne Bridge injury

What was Wayne Bridge’s injury?

Wayne had a phenomenal football career, playing in two FIFA World Cup’s and boasting 36 England caps while making over 300 appearances in England’s top flight, the Premier League.

His career spanned from 1998 to 2013 where he retired with Reading.

However, his retirement could be considered somewhat premature as he quit the game he loved at age 33 having failed to recover from a serious knee injury.

In 2013, Wayne told Sky Sports News:

After an operation on my knee in November 2013, I’ve been struggling to train and play without constant pain. I’ve been advised by my specialist that my knee needs medium to long-term rest. On this advice, and following discussions with close friends and family, I’ve made the reluctant decision to retire.

Wayne Bridge of Reading (Photo by AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)

Representing my country was my proudest moment. I’ve had a great career and I look forward to my next chapter.”

Without injury, it’s likely that Wayne could have prolonged his career for another two or three years.

Even now, at 38, he could have still played football at some sort of professional level given his wealth of experience.

Wayne opens up on Celebrity SAS

Wayne explained how he always struggled to come to terms with life outside of professional football since retiring five years ago.

His career was also dogged by personal isssues, with ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel having an affair with teammate John Terry around 2008.

The two players were teammates at Chelsea and both played for England’s international side, although John was stripped off his captaincy over the allegations.

Wayne Bridge, better man than i will ever be. To be betrayed by the captain of your team, leader of your working family with the closest person in your life & still continue on to have a great career, not let it go to shit or resort to violence. Poor guy. #SASWhoDaresWins

— Robbie (@rmc_on_mma) April 21, 2019

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – JULY 01: Wayne Bridge consoles England team mate John Terry following defeat during the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Quarter-final match between England and Portugal played at the Stadium Gelsenkirchen on July 1, 2006 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

However, Wayne went on to form a relationship with The Saturday’s singer Frankie, where they tied the knot in 2014 and now share two children, Carter and Parker.

Wayne’s primary responsibility over the past five years has been to look after the kids, describing himself as a “stay at home dad” opposed to branching out into football coaching or pursuing a new career.

Wayne Bridge should be so proud of himself, he is stronger than he knows and a great role model to so many. One foot in front of the other Wayne

— JRuss (@JonquilleRussel) April 29, 2019