John Stones on Beckham, Ronaldinho and high-pressure World Cup moments

Thursday 07 Jun 2018
John Stones made his England debut against Peru in 2014

One of my earliest World Cup memories is getting knocked out of the 2002 World Cup by Brazil.

I was 8-years-old and the whole school watched it in the assembly hall. There was a buzz about the whole school every time England played at that tournament.

John Stones
  • Born: 28 May 1994
  • Debut: v Peru, 30 May 2014
  • Caps: 25
Sadly for us, though, we got knocked out by Ronaldinho’s free-kick.

My favourite World Cup moments have been the high-pressure ones, for example David Beckham’s penalty against Argentina.

Beckham used to get motivated by those big moments and now I’ve got the chance to go and experience those big World Cup moments myself.

I want to help bring the excitement back to the fans. I remember being a little kid and wanting to be like the England players.

I got excited every time England played and now I’ve got the opportunity to create that spark and that excitement for other people.

John Stones: England & Me

By John Stones England and Manchester City