Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he often has to use a wheelchair due to his past injuries.
Ferdinand, who retired from professional football in 2015, admitted that issues picked up during his career are impacting him now.
Rio Ferdinand in Men's Health UK
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Ferdinand has admitted that he has been forced to use a wheelchair due to his injuries in an interview with Men's HealthCredit: PA
Rio Ferdinand
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Ferdinand played nearly 800 games for club and countryCredit: Getty
The 47-year-old played over 700 games as a footballer, with over 500 of those appearances coming in the Premier League.
His career spanned 20 years and he spent time playing for West Ham, Leeds, Man United, Queens Park Rangers and England.
But during his successful years at United, he was sidelined on multiple occasions with back problems - and they're still impacting his life.
Ferdinand and his family moved from England to Dubai last year, but he's had to spend some of his time in a wheelchair since.
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"I've had a bad back for a long time," Ferdinand admitted when speaking to Men's Health UK.
"I've got injuries that I had from my career...I was on tablets and injections for six years to play games.
"That's affected me. I get some bad moments of back pain where I have to be in a hospital for a couple of days or in a wheelchair for a couple of days. It's mad, but it just comes out of nowhere."
He continued: "I've been seeing a physio for the first time since I retired. He's been doing loads of manipulations and whatnot.
"And within his building, there's also my personal trainer, so he feeds him information about my training.
"There's a holistic approach to what I'm doing now and hopefully that's going to put me in good stead."
Rio Ferdinand on Men's Health UK front cover
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Ferdinand has featured in the latest Men's Health UK magazineCredit: PA
Rio Ferdinand feature in Men's Health UK magazine
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He made the honest admission about his injuries while speaking in DubaiCredit: PA
In great shape
The impact of his past injuries hasn't prevented him from staying in shape though, as he showed off his incredible physique.
Ferdinand has featured in Men's Health UK's latest magazine and it includes multiple pictures of his impressive body.
His wife, Kate, has also featured in the latest Women's Health UK.
He has discussed how finding out more about how to look after his body has helped him, rather than just using injections and the like to prevent his injuries when he was playing.
Ferdinand said: "Rather than fixing when it's broken, you actually prevent [injuries].
"I know my s*** now. But I'm 47 years old. It took me all that time."
Rio Ferdinand standing in desert for Men's Health UK
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Ferdinand is in great shape after focusing more on his body after retirementCredit: PA
Kate Ferdinand featuring in Women's Health UK
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He and his wife Kate made the move to Dubai with their family last yearCredit: PA
Why did Ferdinand move to Dubai?
Despite his troubles with his back, Ferdinand has been enjoying life since leaving England and his job at TNT Sports.
He explained to Men's Health UK: "I look at it like an adventure.
"My life has been governed by the fixture list while playing football and then, post-career, being a pundit.
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"There aren’t many opportunities in life where you get time to make a big change, have an adventure, step out of your comfort zone and explore something new.
"So this is it. This is what we wanted to do."