The midfielder backed Thomas Tuchel’s decision to substitute him against Croatia, saying the problem has been handled behind the scenes for months.
Declan Rice #4 of England walks out prior to the International Friendly match between England and Costa Rica at Inter&Co Stadium on June 10, 2026 in Orlando
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Declan Rice has revealed he has been managing hamstring neural pain for six months, with the Arsenal midfielder backing Thomas Tuchel’s decision to take him off during England’s World Cup win over Croatia.
Rice was substituted in the 72nd minute of England’s 4-2 win last Wednesday, prompting concern over his fitness after a long, gruelling season.
He has since trained with his teammates over the weekend ahead of Tuesday’s match against Ghana in Boston, but has confirmed the issue is not new.
“It was a smart decision,” Rice said on ITV. “I was feeling a little bit of neural pain in my hamstring, which I was managing from after Christmas with Arsenal, for a very long time.
“Obviously, not a lot of people would have known that, it was all behind-the-scenes stuff, but it was a smart decision.
“That last 20 is where you really feel your body going for it. And I think it was a smart decision because, the last few days, I felt really, really good.”
Declan Rice of Arsenal passes the ball under pressure from Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United FC at Emirates Stadium on February 22, 2025 in London, England.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
The Ghana match at Gillette Stadium is set to be Rice’s 64th appearance of the season for club and country, a workload that has included Arsenal’s Premier League title win and run to the Champions League final.
Rice said the number of matches has been extreme, but made clear he is not looking for excuses.
“It’s an obscene amount of games, but what can we do about it? You can’t sit and complain,” he said. “You’d put your body on the line to be able to play.”
Rice’s return to training is a positive sign before Ghana, but his comments also underline the physical cost of a season in which he has been central for both club and country, winning his second Arsenal Player of the Year award.
Bukayo Saka #7 and Declan Rice #4 of England react after the 4-2 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Declan Rice: I’ve had hamstring problem for 6 months
Declan Rice says he has managed hamstring neural pain since Christmas after being taken off during England’s World Cup win over Croatia.
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