John Stones, 30, has his sights set on joining the elite group of English players with 100 international caps, following in the footsteps of Harry Kane. The Manchester City defender recently expressed his pride in reaching 81 caps for England, matching the record of former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand.
Stones, who turned 30 last season and has two years remaining on his Manchester City contract, is determined to keep representing his country. While some players step away from international duty as they age, Stones is focused on earning at least 19 more caps. If he stays healthy, he could hit the 100-cap milestone during the 2026 World Cup, just around his 32nd birthday.
Reflecting on his achievement, Stones said, “I never thought I’d get 50 caps, but I hit 75, and now it’s 81. I was told I’ve leveled with Rio – that’s a massive personal achievement.” He added, “Reaching 100 caps? Yeah, 100 percent.”
Stones also commented on the changing dynamics within the England squad, with younger players joining the ranks. “It’s strange to be one of the older guys now, but seeing the energy and hunger of the younger players is great,” he said. “I remember being in their shoes, and it’s definitely different now.”
Looking back, Stones admitted that England’s Euro 2024 final loss, combined with their defeat in the Euro 2020 final, was tough to process. He described the emotional toll: “I really believed we could do it. I was upset, then angry. You always wonder what more you could have done. It’s hard to shake that feeling, but I try to box it away.”
With his focus on both club and country, Stones is not only aiming to reclaim his place at Manchester City but also cement his legacy with England as one of their most capped defenders.
