PERTH, Australia (AP) 鈥� Former Australia soccer captain Paul Wade says he has been diagnosed with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and has renewed his calls for all players under the age of 12 to be
Wade, who played 84 internationals for Australia, on Wednesday said he realizes his memory is fading and he is experiencing mood swings due to repeated head injuries he experienced during his soccer career.
While it can only be definitively diagnosed by an autopsy after death, Wade received a diagnosis of suspected in late 2024 following the presentation of neurological symptoms. Then late last year following a subsequent neurological assessment and specialist evaluation, Wade was diagnosed with probable CTE.
鈥淔ootball gave me so much. It gave me a life, a career, incredible experiences and the privilege of representing Australia,鈥� the 64-year-old Wade said. 鈥淏ut I also must be honest about the challenges I now face and the uncertainty that comes with living with a neurodegenerative condition.
鈥淚 know my memory鈥檚 going. And I鈥檝e been told by a number of people I鈥檝e become a little bit short-tempered.鈥�
Wade said he doesn鈥檛 want to discourage anyone from playing soccer.
鈥淏ut we do need to understand more about the long-term effects of and make sure that players, families and the game have the information and support they need to protect future generations,鈥� Wade said.
Dr. Rowena Mobbs, Wade鈥檚 neurologist and鈥痮ne of Australia鈥檚 leading鈥痗oncussion鈥痑nd CTE experts, has recommended a reduction in heading at the junior level.
鈥淎s a neurologist, I call for a reduction in heading for players, including removing all heading under 12,鈥� Mobbs said. 鈥淵ou only get one brain.鈥�
Wade鈥檚 story is explored in a new mini documentary produced by Professional Footballers Australia, in which he reflects on his football career.
PFA chief executive Beau Busch said Wade鈥檚 decision to share his experience was an important act of leadership.
鈥淎ustralian football must proactively pursue being Australia鈥檚 safest sport,鈥� Busch said in a PFA release. 鈥淭hat means tackling the issue of brain injury, through better policies, research, education and support for former players.鈥�
Awareness of CTE and concussion has grown since players in contact football sports, including the National Football League in the United States and rugby union in Britain, launched concussion lawsuits.
The Rugby World Cup took place in 2023 against the backdrop of that had similarities to the in 2013, at a likely cost of more than $1 billion.
, a postmortem examination showed a New Zealand professional rugby player who died by suspected suicide last year had advanced CTE. is another high-profile Australian sportsperson diagnosed with probable CTE.
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