England defender John Stones admitted to struggling to maintain a serious demeanor while playing a prank on head coach Thomas Tuchel following the team’s victory over Mexico. The incident occurred during the post-match celebrations, shortly after midfielder Jordan Henderson was taken off the field with a broken arm.

A video showing Stones pretending to have sustained a shoulder injury quickly went viral, amassing over 40 million views. Stones explained that he found it difficult to keep a straight face, especially given the recent injury to Henderson.

He said the prank was intended to lighten the mood in the dressing room and maintain positive energy despite the setback. Stones noted that Tuchel appeared uncertain whether the injury was genuine, but acknowledged the overall atmosphere remained upbeat among the players.

The England squad had celebrated their win against Mexico with notable enthusiasm, but the injury to Henderson cast a temporary shadow over the occasion. Stones’ lighthearted gesture reflected the team’s effort to balance the seriousness of the situation with camaraderie and morale.