Former Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards, 35, answers our health questionnaire
Can you run up stairs?
Of course. I know everyone thinks I’m big now, but I can still run up and down stairs. I try to train every day.
Do you get your five a day?
No way. I am a carnivore. And eggs. I like proteins and carbohydrates. I know I should find time for vegetables, but I don’t. I might eat the odd grape if it’s in a container where I’m filming, but that’s it. The only vegetable I eat very occasionally is sweet corn.
I’m sure my old nutritionists wouldn’t be happy at all.
Have you ever been on a diet?
I’m 5ft 11in and when I started as a player, I was very skinny – around 90kg (14 2lb). But then I started getting injured and getting less playing time and more time in the gym, so I bulked up.
My arms and legs got bigger and when I finished my playing career I weighed about 100 kg (15.7 lbs). I now weigh 105 kg (16.5 lbs). If I keep gaining weight at this rate, I’m going to explode, but a lot of that is muscle mass.
Former England and Manchester City star Micah Richards still trains every day and goes up and down stairs.
Micah Richards in action during the 2006 FA Cup quarter final between Manchester City and West Ham
Any vice?
Chinese Food. After one night, I feel like doing it. Special fried rice, ribs. . . but you won’t find me eating that after recording Match Of The Day with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer. Gary goes back to London and Alan goes straight back to Newcastle, but that’s fine. I’ll stay with the younger ones. Those kids are getting old.
Any family ailment?
My aunt had cancer but my parents are still alive and well. My mom is 62 and looks amazing for her age, and my dad is 64 and starting to age a little, but they are both in good shape.
Worst illness/injury?
I contracted swine flu in 2019 during a boys’ holiday in Ayia Napa. The six of us went out and the next morning we all felt tired.
I thought it was too much Singapore fried rice, but then I felt more than that. The doctor came, tested us all and said he had contracted swine flu. He had no idea how bad it was, so at first I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m breaking my clogs.’ That’s all. I’m going to die.’
Micah Richards says eating Chinese food is his vice late at night when he feels like eating it
I was quarantined in my hotel room for five or six days while my colleagues returned to the UK. I felt good after that, but the positive side was that I lost 5kg.
As for injuries, the worst was when I tore my meniscus in a match against Swansea, when I was at Manchester City. My leg locked up and I couldn’t straighten or bend my knee. I was out for eight months. It was horrible.
I also used to have compartment syndrome, which is a painful increase in pressure inside a muscle, so they cut off the front of both legs to let the muscle breathe. Before that, I would get cramps after walking ten meters. If it weren’t for that, he would have 200 caps for England.
Take any pills?
The only thing I take is an occasional anti-inflammatory pill for my knee if I’m doing something that might cause it to swell, like a rally I did at A League Of Their Own.
Had something been removed?
My meniscus. I’ve had surgery about five times for it. I’m bone to bone now.
Cope with pain well?
Yes, but if I see blood, I grimace like a baby.
Have you tried alternative remedies?
I occasionally do acupuncture to relieve tension in my muscles, when I spend too much time with Alan Shearer. Just kidding, Alan!
Have you ever been depressed?
Not now, but at times when I played, because football can take you to the highest and lowest levels.
Hangover cure?
I don’t need one. I can drink all night and be totally fine. It’s my superpower.
What keeps you up at night?
Overthinking. I always want to do things right when I’m an expert, so for example, if I’m doing Match Of The Day and I end up in the studio at midnight, I might not go to bed until 4am while I’m replaying the game. . show in my mind. I don’t want to make the same mistake next time.
Any phobia?
Heights. Spiders. Flying. I’m a big softie.
Do you like to live forever?
No. Life is for living. I’ve already lived my dream and met amazing people, so when you run out of time, you run out of time.
Micah Richards is working with Hellmann’s, Official BBQ Partner of UEFA Euro 2024. Check out @HellmannsUK on Instagram