Former Socceroos Captain Paul Wade Diagnosed with Probable CTE

Former Socceroos captain Paul Wade has announced he has been diagnosed with "probable" chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which has been linked to repeated head knocks and injuries.

In a statement put out by Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) on Wednesday, Wade said he was diagnosed in late 2024 with a suspected case of the disease after experiencing neurological symptoms.

He said this was upgraded after further assessments to probable in 2025.

The disease can only be confirmed after death.

"They did the tests … and [neurologists] went, 'Oh, we've got a real problem here," he told the ABC.

After scans showed it was probable CTE, he said he just "stood there" and thought "am I going to die from this?"

Wade, who now lives north of Sydney, said receiving the diagnosis was "difficult", but wanted to share his experience to raise awareness of concussion and brain health across all levels of football.

"Football gave me so much. It gave me a life, a career, incredible experiences and the privilege of representing Australia," he said.

Asked whether the probable diagnosis was linked to his time playing, he said "it must have had something to do with it".

"I think about the number of times at a training session I headed a ball."

Symptoms of the disease can include depression, memory loss, tremors, poor impulse control and suicidal thoughts.

'Advancement of the game'

The 64-year-old, who led the national team for six years in the 90s, said more understanding was needed about the long-term effects of repeated head impacts to "protect future generations".

"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, who also lives with epilepsy, said.

Wade's announcement comes less than a month after Four Corner's revealed 33 Australian Rules players had been diagnosed with CTE.

He said people concerned should not "stop playing" contact sports "because if you do we're going to have an even bigger problem with mental health and wellbeing".

"To the people actually making the rules we've got to come up with ways we can make it safer," Wade said.

"If I could say to Football Australia, or even FIFA, if you're listening, let's put some protocols in there because you've got everything about concussion.

"[But] you don't talk about CTE and how we can change the game and change the training and change the age so that it's minimalised, so we're not exposing kids to CTE."

He asked who was going to "stand up and be brave and say no", and assert boundaries.

"Someone's got to say no. Kids are … heading a ball 12 years or under, make it 14 I don't care," he said.

PFA chief executive Beau Busch said Wade's decision to open up about his diagnosis was an "important act of leadership".

"He 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."

Mr Busch said Australian football must be proactive in tackling brain injuries "through better policies, research, education and support for former players".

A decorated career

Wade, who was born in England in 1962, came to Australia at 11 years old with a passion for football, moving his way up to senior positions within Victorian clubs including Croydon, Green Gully, Brunswick and South Melbourne.

In 1985, he claimed a spot in the Australian team, playing his first full international against Czechoslovakia the following year.

He then captained the Australian soccer side from 1990 to 1996.

On Football Australia's website, Wade is credited with 345 national league appearances, 119 matches played for Australia, and 84 full internationals.

Wade also played in the 1988 Olympic Games and two World Cup qualifying campaigns.

After he retired as a player, he became involved with TV commentary and coaching clinics for kids.

His career and the impacts of his neurodegenerative condition will be explored in an upcoming mini documentary being produced by PFA.