How James Milner went from the verge of retirement to setting a Premier League record | OneFootball

James Milner is the Premier League’s record appearance holder after starting Brighton’s 2-0 win at Brentford, his 654th game. According to NY Times, the 40-year-old moved past Gareth Barry’s 653.

The milestone almost never arrived. Milner’s career was threatened 18 months ago in a 1-1 draw at Arsenal, complications after knee surgery sidelining him for nearly nine months and causing nerve damage that left him unable to lift his foot or toes.

He returned as an 89th-minute substitute in Brighton’s 4-1 win at Tottenham on the final weekend last May, after a long rehab with physio Sean Duggan. “It’s hard to come back from nine months out with an injury at any age, never mind this age. So I enjoyed the challenge,” he told The Athletic.

He began at Leeds in 2002 at 16, then Newcastle, Aston Villa and Manchester City, later eight years at Liverpool, before joining Brighton on a free in 2023. He also won 61 England caps.

Inside the dressing room he shut down talk of the record, preferring the focus on Brighton’s season. Signed to add experience alongside Danny Welbeck, he is credited with driving standards and wore special boots to mark the landmark.

Milner agreed a one-year extension last June and head coach Fabian Hurzeler has said he wants him to stay next season. Chief executive Paul Barber says he will continue only while he feels he is contributing, and the end-point is unclear.

Source: NY Times