Leeds’ Dallas Reflects on Early Retirement Due to Injury
Stuart Dallas, the Leeds United midfielder, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 32, due to a serious leg injury that he sustained almost two years ago. Dallas had not played a single first-team minute since then and revealed that he had undergone around seven different operations in an attempt to recover from a fractured femur and knee damage suffered in a Premier League game against Manchester City in April 2022.
Dallas made the decision to retire several weeks ago but kept it private until he informed the rest of Leeds’ first-team squad this morning. Speaking about his retirement, Dallas said, “I’m glad it’s out there. It’s a decision which I’m really clear in my mind is the right decision. I’m happy.” Despite never losing hope of making a comeback, Dallas acknowledged that his body would not be able to perform at an elite level anymore. However, he expressed that mentally, he is at peace with his decision and feels fortunate to have had the career he had.
The injury occurred during a game against Manchester City when Dallas attempted to tackle Jack Grealish. He underwent immediate surgery in London and realized then that his career might be under threat. Although he resumed first-team training earlier this season, Dallas was unable to reach the required fitness level for competitive play.
Reflecting on the severity of his injury, Dallas said, “I knew from the first minute I did the injury how serious it was. I was concerned then, of course I was. To be here now – we’ve won, and that describes how serious the injury was.” Despite setbacks and complications, including two infections and multiple surgeries, Dallas remained determined to get back on the pitch. However, he eventually realized that the reward had shifted from returning to playing football to being fit and healthy after retirement. He believes that if he were younger, he might have been able to make a comeback, but the severity of the injury made it impossible.
Dallas has tried not to dwell on the incident involving Grealish and has instead focused on making the most of his professional career. He had a conversation with his younger Leeds teammates, goalkeeper Illan Meslier and midfielder Jamie Shackleton, emphasizing the importance of enjoying every moment in the game. Dallas said, “I played the tackle over and over in my head, but that only eats you up. Don’t get me wrong, there are days when you do think about it, but you have to master your own mind.”
Throughout his recovery process, Dallas did not feel the need to seek professional help from a psychologist. He believed that he was strong enough mentally to avoid falling into a negative mindset. He acknowledged the prevalence of mental health issues in the game but recognized that he was fortunate not to be dragged into that dark place. His wife and three children were his main priority, and he did not want anything to jeopardize his happiness with them.
Stuart Dallas’ retirement marks the end of an era for Leeds United. Despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his departure from the game, Dallas will be remembered for his dedication, resilience, and the impact he made during his career. His story serves as a reminder of how fragile a footballer’s career can be and the importance of appreciating every moment on the pitch.