Ian Rush: Liverpool legend thought he was going to die after collapse
Rush’s partner, Carol, called an ambulance in the early hours of the morning when his shortness of breath worsened.
However, when the situation improved with the arrival of paramedics, Rush preferred to stay at home. However, 10 minutes after they left, Rush fainted and an ambulance was called again.
“It was a scary experience. I thought it was the end because I couldn’t breathe and had a panic attack. Carol was great. She helped me breathe and that gave me more time while I waited for the ambulance to arrive,” Rush said.
Rush was discharged five days later, but admitted that during his stay in the hospital, he began making preparations in case he passed away. Since then, he started doing breathing exercises three times a day.
“It was a huge blow to me,” Rush added, speaking at the World Sports Summit in Dubai.
“There will be a few changes in 2026 because if something happens to me, there are a few things I need to make sure everything is in place for everyone else as well.”
Liverpool ambassador Rush said: “The doctors told me the sun would be really good for you and I was allowed to fly, which is why I’m here. Liverpool Football Club was very good. They told me to take as much time off as I needed. That’s when you realize it’s a great family club.”
Since the health scare, Rush has been inundated with messages from people around the football world.
On Sunday, he spent an evening with the likes of Brazilian legend Ronaldo and former Juventus and Italy forwards Alessandro del Piero and Roberto Baggio.
“It’s little things like seeing Baggio living in the house I was staying at when I was at Juventus, and that’s a big deal,” Rush said.
“And that gives me the energy to keep going. Some of these legends have won the World Cup and I know I haven’t, but looking back I can say that I was good and I was Liverpool’s record goalscorer. That makes me proud.”
Rush, who scored 346 goals for Liverpool, surpassed Roger Hunt (285) and Mohamed Salah (250).
