EPL: You’ll have 50-year-old body at 30 – MacAnthony warns Arsenal’s Declan Rice
Darragh MacAnthony Issues Warning to Declan Rice Over Physical Toll of Football
Darragh MacAnthony, chairman of the Irish Football Association, has expressed concern about the physical demands faced by Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice. In a recent interview with talkSPORT, MacAnthony suggested that Rice could experience significant wear on his body by the age of 30.
Rice, 27, played a crucial role in England’s recent campaign, contributing to the team’s bronze medal win at the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. During the tournament, he scored once and recorded two assists across seven matches.
Over the course of the 2025–26 season, Rice participated in more than 60 matches for both Arsenal and the England national team, including those at the World Cup.
“If he continues at this pace, he will be burnt out by 30,” MacAnthony said, adding, “He will have the body of a 50-year-old by that time.”
