Ian Rush has confessed he feared the worst during his recent health scare, admitting he believed “this could be the end.”

 

 

Liverpool were given a sobering reminder this week that football is never the most important thing, as one of the club’s true legends opened up about a deeply frightening personal experience. Ian Rush, Liverpool’s all-time leading goalscorer, has spoken openly to BBC Sport about fearing for his life after collapsing at home earlier this month.

The 64-year-old was rushed to the Countess of Chester Hospital on 11 December and spent two days in intensive care after being struck down by what doctors described as “superflu.”

“I genuinely thought the worst — that this might be the end,” Rush admitted. “I couldn’t breathe.”

He explained that his breathing became progressively worse overnight, leading his partner, Carol, to call an ambulance in the early hours. Although his condition appeared to stabilise after paramedics initially attended him, Rush collapsed again shortly afterwards, forcing a second emergency call and immediate hospital admission.

“It was absolutely terrifying,” he recalled. “I panicked because I couldn’t breathe, and I really believed that was it.”

Rush remained in hospital for five days before being discharged, but not before confronting some difficult realities.

“This experience has really shaken me,” he said. “It’s made me realise there are things I need to put in place, just in case anything were to happen.”

Those reflections carry even greater meaning given the emotional strain he has recently endured, having lost his brother Gerald just days before the tragic death of Diogo Jota.

Earlier, Rush had explained why he was unable to attend Jota’s funeral, describing the Portuguese forward as “one of the best natural finishers the club has ever had” and “a genuine gentleman” who always gave everything on the pitch.

That personal loss, combined with his health scare, has made his recent public appearances particularly poignant. Since leaving hospital, Rush has received an outpouring of support from across the footballing world, highlighting the immense respect he commands far beyond Anfield.

He has since attended the World Sports Summit in Dubai and continues to serve on the jury for the Globe Soccer Awards, where a Special In Memoriam Award was presented in honour of Diogo Jota.

Looking back on his career, Rush said he remains immensely proud of what he achieved — especially at Liverpool. With 346 goals for the club, he still stands clear of Roger Hunt and Mohamed Salah, a record that cements his legendary status.

“That pride gives me the drive to keep going,” Rush said, adding that being Liverpool’s record goalscorer “means everything” to him.

His words serve as a powerful reminder that while trophies and results matter, it is the people who shape this club who truly matter most.