Rio: I had to quit England, I was depressed from the pain of my injury hell

By Graeme Yorke

Published: 18:38 EDT, 15 June 2013 | Updated: 18:58 EDT, 15 June 2013

Rio Ferdinand has revealed how depression forced him to quit England.

The Manchester United defender, aged 34, was caught in a club v country row after snubbing Roy Hodgson and turning down the chance to represent England again after two years in the international wilderness.

But Ferdinand has lifted the lid on his secret injury nightmare which he feared could end his career and made it impossible to kick a ball with his young children.

No choice: Man United defender Rio Ferdinand felt he had to snub England

He told the Sun: 'It is only now I can talk about what I was really going through.

'I was trying to put a brave face on it but of course I was worried about the future. Two or three years ago people were saying I was finished and I remember those dark days. I was in a depressive state. I will admit that.

'I couldn't even go in the garden and have a little kickabout with the kids. It was embarrassing. I couldn't pick them up and put them on my shoulders because of the pain.'

Fighting fit: Ferdinand (above) guided United to league title with help from fitness programe (below)

Ferdinand felt he had no choice but to end his international career, even though he earlier said he would never turn his back on England.

United's medical staff gave him a specialist rehab programme and Ferdinand played an integral part in the Red Devils lifting a 20th league title.

Ferdinand has just signed a new contract and has been awarded a testimonial match against Sevilla on August 9.