In a stunning revelation that will shock football fans across England, Everton and Three Lions goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has confessed he nearly abandoned his professional career during his Sunderland days.
The Turning Point That Almost Ended It All
The moment that pushed Pickford to the brink came during a Premier League clash against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light in 2016. Granit Xhaka's spectacular long-range strike left the young goalkeeper helpless, but it was the reaction from his own supporters that cut deepest.
"I remember Xhaka's goal like it was yesterday," Pickford revealed in an emotional interview. "The ball flew past me into the top corner, and then I heard our own fans singing 'You're not fit to wear the shirt.' That moment crushed me."
Dark Days at Sunderland
The 2016-17 season proved particularly challenging for the Black Cats, with the team ultimately suffering relegation. For a young goalkeeper trying to establish himself, the constant pressure and criticism took a severe mental toll.
"When you're giving everything for your hometown club and still getting that reaction, it makes you question everything," Pickford admitted. "I genuinely considered whether football was worth the pain."
From Brink of Quitting to England Number One
What makes Pickford's confession even more remarkable is how close football came to losing one of its brightest talents. The same goalkeeper who would later become:
- England's undisputed number one
- Everton's record signing for a goalkeeper
- A key figure in England's 2018 World Cup campaign
- One of the Premier League's most consistent performers
"Thankfully, I had good people around me who helped me through it," Pickford reflected. "My family, my agent, and certain coaches believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself."
The Resilience That Built a Career
Pickford's journey from that dark moment at the Stadium of Light to becoming one of the Premier League's most reliable goalkeepers serves as a powerful lesson in mental resilience for young athletes everywhere.
"Football isn't just about talent; it's about how you handle the tough moments," he concluded. "That experience, as painful as it was, ultimately made me stronger."
The revelation adds a new layer to understanding Pickford's remarkable career trajectory and serves as a stark reminder of the mental health challenges professional athletes face behind the scenes.
