Paul Wade, a former captain of the Australian national soccer team, the Socceroos, has announced he has been diagnosed with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The 64-year-old, who earned 84 caps for Australia and captained the team 46 times, released a statement through Professional Footballers Australia detailing his condition.
While CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death, doctors can provide a probable diagnosis during a patient's lifetime. Wade's neurologist, Dr. Rowena Mobbs, stated that the disease can be caused by frequent impacts to the head over time, such as repeatedly heading a football, even without notable concussions. Wade made 345 appearances in Australia's National Soccer League during his career.
"Football gave me so much," Wade said in his statement. "But I also must be honest about the challenges I now face and the uncertainty that comes with living with a neurodegenerative condition. Receiving a diagnosis of probable CTE has been difficult. But I have decided to speak publicly because I know there may be other players and families facing similar questions."
He expressed a desire for his experience to help others, stating, "If 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." Wade emphasized that he does not wish to discourage people from playing football due to its positive health benefits but stressed the need for greater understanding of the long-term effects of repeated head impacts.
Dr. Mobbs is advocating for headers to be banned in junior football in Australia, a measure already in place for players under 12 in England, where limits on heading during training sessions have also been implemented. "Ultimately, it's about being positive and progressive in football," Dr. Mobbs said. "As a neurologist, I call for a reduction in heading for players, including removing all heading under 12. We 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."
Wade described the moment his neurologist informed him of the terminal nature of CTE. "When the neurologist said, 'It's terminal. Go and make some memories,' that's when reality kicks in," Wade told The Sydney Morning Herald. "I'm gonna die of this. I might not die for 20 years, I might get hit by a bus, but there is no cure."
Former teammate Craig Foster paid tribute to Wade on social media, calling him "one of not only Australian football’s legends, but one of the truly great gentlemen of our game. And for many @socceroos our teammate." Foster added that Wade's diagnosis would likely prompt further research into head impacts within the sport, noting Wade's continued leadership in wanting to ensure the game's safety for future generations.