Craig Bellamy has admitted he almost retired in 2003 – and spurned Manchester United's interest as he felt he could not justify a move due to his injury problems.
An emotional Bellamy – who went on to play for Celtic, Blackburn, Liverpool, West Ham, Manchester City and Cardiff before finally retiring as a player in 2014 – opened up on his battle with knee tendonitis.
He revealed that he had come away from a pre-season friendly during a tournament in Malaysia believing he would have to hang up his boots at the age of just 23.