FORMER Manchester United star Gary Neville has revealed why he turned down the chance to play in Soccer Aid.
The annual charity football event is set to take place on June 9 at Stamford Bridge.
Several ex-pros such as Eden Hazard, Jermain Defoe, David James, Gary Cahill, Joe Cole and Roberto Carlos are already confirmed to be playing.
And Jill Scott, who will captain England, was quick to try and sign Neville up in the latest edition of the Stick to Football podcast.
However, the Man Utd legend declined due to the fear of getting injured.
Neville said: “I’m not playing anymore. Every time an ex-player gets a shocking injury like a cruciate or they rip their achilles or something.
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“You know, when they try to chase people unfit.”
Carragher then chimed in to tell a story about ex-Liverpool star Fabio Aurelio, saying: “He came back for the Liverpool legends match and was supposed to go back day after.
“He’s still here now. He broke all of his ribs.”
Aurelio suffered a punctured lung and cracked ribs during the Anfield clash with Ajax two weeks ago.
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In a recent interview with The Athletic, he said: “I just tried to make the block and as he followed through after shooting, he ended up hitting me with his knee.
“You don’t expect an accident like that to happen in a Legends match, but when you go out there in front of 60,000 people, the competitive streak comes out.
“I couldn’t fly back last week because of the damage to my lung.
“At the start, the doctors said I would need to wait three weeks, so I was a bit scared, but the specialist saw the X-rays a few days ago and said it has settled down.
“The lung is OK and with the ribs, it’s just a matter of time for them to heal.”
Neville last took part in Soccer Aid last summer.
The World XI won the match 4-2 thanks to goals from Olympic legend Usain Bolt, former Tottenham star Robbie Keane and ex-Love Island contestant Kem Cetinay.
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Emillia Hawkins
