Paul Merson Urges England World Cup Squad to Wear Sunscreen After Melanoma Battle

Former footballer and Strictly Come Dancing star Paul Merson has issued a stark warning to England's World Cup squad, urging them to wear sunscreen to prevent skin cancer, as he reflects on his own melanoma diagnosis. Appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, June 16, the 58-year-old told hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls that his skin cancer, diagnosed in 2012, was preventable and that he neglected sun protection throughout his playing career. Merson, who played for Arsenal and later became a football pundit, admitted he often got sunburnt without applying sun cream, a mistake he now regrets.

Merson described how a mole on his back worsened over time, eventually bleeding through his shirt while on holiday with his children. Despite the warning signs, he delayed seeking medical help, attributing his hesitation to fear and what he called a 'man thing.' After finally visiting his GP and having the mole removed, Merson received a diagnosis of melanoma and required 50 stitches. He then underwent twice-yearly scans for five years, an experience he described as 'horrible,' always fearing the cancer might return.

During the interview, Merson praised England defender Dan Burn, who is also raising awareness about sun protection. Burn, whose Instagram bio reads 'Dan Won't Burn,' emphasized the importance of covering often-neglected areas like the back of the neck. 'As a defender, I know how important it is to cover every angle, but I'll admit the back of my neck isn't always part of my game plan,' Burn said. 'It's an easy area to miss, but one that's vulnerable to sun damage.'

Merson's message comes as the England squad prepares to compete in the World Cup in the United States, where players will be exposed to prolonged sun during matches and training. He stressed that melanoma is largely preventable through the regular use of sunscreen, urging the team to 'slap on the sun cream' before taking the field. His personal story serves as a cautionary tale for athletes and the public alike to prioritize skin protection and not ignore potential health warning signs.