{"id":817231,"date":"2026-07-22T20:08:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T20:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/817231\/"},"modified":"2026-07-22T20:08:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T20:08:27","slug":"socceroos-icon-paul-wade-opens-up-on-probable-chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/817231\/","title":{"rendered":"Socceroos icon Paul Wade opens up on \u2018probable\u2019 chronic traumatic encephalopathy diagnosis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Much-loved Socceroos<\/a> icon Paul Wade has opened up on a \u201cdifficult\u201d diagnosis, revealing he has \u201cprobable\u201d chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and his mental health his deteriorating.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has issued a fresh statement about the former Australian captain, praising the 64-year-old for his courage and leadership.<\/p>\n

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Socceroos legend Paul Wade reveals terminal CTE diagnosis<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a neurodegenerative brain disease and is linked to repeated head knocks. It can, however, only be properly diagnosed after death.<\/p>\n

Wade, who was star for the Socceroos from the late 1980s to mid-1990s, went through a series of neurological assessments and specialist evaluations in 2025, and was diagnosed by a neurologist with probable CTE at the end of last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He said he was sharing the news now to raise awareness about concussion and the serious effects of repeated head impacts.<\/p>\n

He was visibly emotional when he spoke about his situation, saying, \u201cHe doesn\u2019t feel any different (but) I know my memory is going.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"FormerFormer Socceroos captain Paul Wade has shared details about his \u2018probable\u2019 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) diagnosis. Credit: Sunrise<\/p>\n

Wade admitted tasks that he had done so often \u2014 such as preparing for a TV gig \u2014 now took him a very long time, and he also suffered from mood swings.<\/p>\n

\u201cPreparing to do a gig now, and I\u2019ve done this so many times … for me to get all my slides and all my thoughts in order takes me so long,\u201d he told the PFA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He said his thoughts now became jumbled, and he would suddenly think: \u201cWhat was the story? It\u2019s gone. That\u2019s why it\u2019s taken me so long … <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019ve been told by a number of people that I\u2019ve become a little bit short-tempered, just snapped a bit. <\/p>\n

\u201cSo mood swings were pointed out. \u2018Well, you\u2019ve never done that before,\u2019 (they would say), and then you just think, yeah, there is something wrong here …<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve just got to resign (yourself) to the fact that, you know what, I better go and get this sorted out. Something\u2019s not right.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a former player and later a media favourite, he said football had given him so many incredible experiences over the years.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I also must be honest about the challenges I now face and the uncertainty that comes with living with a neurodegenerative condition,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cReceiving a diagnosis of probable CTE has been difficult. <\/p>\n

\u201cBut I have decided to speak publicly because I know there may be other players and families facing similar questions. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf sharing my experience can help someone seek support, create better education and prevention, or help the game take brain health more seriously, then it is worth doing. <\/p>\n

\u201cI do not want to discourage anyone from playing football, as I think there are so many positive health benefits. <\/p>\n

\u201cBut we do need to understand more about the long-term effects of repeated head impacts and make sure that players, families and the game have the information and support they need to protect future generations.\u201d <\/p>\n

Wade also suffers from epilepsy and once had a seizure before a World Cup match in 1993.<\/p>\n

On the back of Wade\u2019s fresh announcement, his neurologist Dr Rowena Mobbs called for a reduction of headers at the junior level.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul is a champion both on and off the field for talking openly about CTE. We want former players to get help as early as possible so they can live well and tackle the effect of CTE on thinking,\u202femotion\u202fand behaviour,\u201d Mobbs said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe government have acted on CTE, and help is available for former players as well as their families and loved ones via\u202fConneCTErs\u202fAustralia or Dementia Australia.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cUltimately, it\u2019s\u00a0about being positive and progressive in football. As a neurologist, I call for a reduction in heading for players, including removing all heading (at) under-12 (level).\u00a0\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\n\u201cWe want kids entering the great sport of football today to be their brain best both on the field and throughout life. You only get one brain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former Socceroos star, and Wade\u2019s old teammate, Craig Foster said: \u201cVery sad news for one of not only Australian football\u2019s legends, but one of the truly great gentleman of our game. <\/p>\n

\u201cWadey\u2019s diagnosis will certainly resonate through the game, with the player\u2019s association already planning further research into head impact. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to understand the exact risks across all ball and impact sports to ensure that future generations are protected, and completely safe.<\/p>\n

\u201cTypical of Paul, still showing leadership, as he always did.\u201c<\/p>\n

PFA chief Beau Busch said Wade\u2019s decision to go public with his news would benefit the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn sharing his story, Paul has once again illustrated his truly remarkable commitment to the advancement of the game,\u201d Busch said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is doing so not only for himself, but for the players and families who are facing, or may one day face, similar questions about brain health.\u201d<\/p>\n

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