Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson was tipped for a glittering future at both club and international level, yet he walked away from football at just 24 years old to pursue a career as an estate agent.
Johnson emerged in 2006 with a string of impressive displays for City, with goals and assists following as he was earmarked for stardom. However, injuries and debilitating self-doubt began to take hold, leading to his premature retirement.
High praise and early promise
Then City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson hailed Johnson as England's "next big thing" following standout performances for the Under-21 side. Former City and Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann described Johnson as "probably the most complete young player I've seen," and he was even predicted to captain City one day.
Yet the midfielder's career failed to materialise as many had anticipated. "My issue was always self-esteem," Johnson, now 38, revealed to The Athletic in July 2020. "I just felt really low in myself. I didn't ever feel I was as good as the kids next to me.
"I'm not talking football-wise. I knew I was good at football. I'm talking about how I felt as a person. I used to think, 'You're not like those lads there. You can't be their friend'. You look at yourself in the mirror and you feel like it's someone else looking back at you."
Injuries and personal struggles
Johnson started his career with Leeds United and enjoyed brief spells with City and Everton. He also transferred to Feyenoord aged just 12. Following periods at Liverpool and Crewe Alexandra, he rejoined Everton before returning to City at 16 to commence his scholarship.
Despite breaking into the City squad, including an impressive beginning to the 2008/09 season, a recurring abdominal injury kept him out for seven months. Johnson disclosed that his extended spell in the treatment room sent him to a dark place. "I was injured quite a lot. That didn't help," he said.
"I was thinking, 'Why the hell do I feel like this?' And it's not just that I wasn't feeling better about myself. I was feeling worse than before. Suddenly, I didn't have that hope of getting better."
Life after football
He subsequently went on loan to Leicester but featured in only seven matches. The former midfielder ultimately turned to alcohol. Johnson was convicted of drink-driving twice within three months and received fines totalling £5,500 before being disqualified for three years.
Reflecting on that chapter, he said: "They were low times. I was trying to escape my feelings by drinking, but I can't condone that at all. I know it was dangerous and wrong."
He subsequently sought support and admitted himself to the Priory clinic. Johnson's final appearance for City came in October 2009, netting in a 5-1 League Cup victory over Scunthorpe, before his contract was terminated in January 2013.
Alongside his career as an estate agent, Johnson also ventured into property as a landlord and even dabbled in trading American cars. Reflecting on his exit from the sport, he acknowledged that putting his wellbeing first had been the correct decision.
"It was a relief. I knew I couldn't give my all in football," he said. "I needed to sort myself out. I knew I couldn't do the two. I couldn't be a professional footballer - not a good professional anyway - feeling the way I was feeling. It was the right time to leave. And once I left, I knew I could concentrate solely on sorting out my health."
