Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has revealed how he relaxes after football matches. The 27-year-old Englishman says adrenaline sometimes keeps him awake until 4am, so he plays GTA, Call of Duty and FIFA with friends instead of sleeping.
In an in-depth interview with GQ, Rice explained that he finds it particularly difficult to unwind after evening matches. Even when he gets home at around midnight, he can take a long time to settle down.
I just can't sleep after evening matches. It's impossible. Even if I get home at midnight, I'm still too wired. So I turn on the PlayStation. Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, FIFA — anything. I just play with my friends.
The midfielder says this kind of routine is fairly common among professional footballers.
Sometimes it's already four in the morning and I'm still awake. The adrenaline and everything else — you just can't settle down.
Rice said he used to find it much easier to fall asleep, but as the level of football he played rose, it became harder to switch off from what had happened on the pitch.
I think when you play at this level, your mind is constantly working. The thoughts just don't stop.
Those late gaming sessions do not excuse him from training, however. He still has to report to Arsenal's training ground the following morning.
According to Rice, Mikel Arteta wants his players to get back to work with the ball as soon as possible after matches.
