Merson said he rarely used protection during his playing days, even when he was regularly getting sunburned. He recalled being diagnosed with skin cancer in 2012 after delaying a medical check for a mole on his back.
The seriousness of the situation became clear during a holiday, when one of his children noticed blood showing through his white shirt after he had been playing golf. Merson still waited before seeking further help, later describing the delay as “coisa de homem” or fear.
After the lesion was removed, he underwent regular examinations and spoke about the anxiety of waiting for results. His message to England is therefore more than a routine health reminder: he wants players to avoid repeating the mistakes he made.
Burn has also pushed sun-safety awareness among footballers. His message focuses particularly on the back of the neck, an area easily forgotten during a busy training or matchday routine.
“Como defensor, sei como é importante cobrir todos os ângulos, mas admito que a parte de trás do meu pescoço nem sempre faz parte do meu plano de jogo. É uma área fácil de esquecer, mas vulnerável aos danos do sol,” Burn wrote.
The point is simple. Footballers prepare meticulously for opponents, tactics and physical demands, yet basic skin protection can still be overlooked.
With England facing summer conditions in the United States, sunscreen could become part of the squad’s daily preparation alongside hydration, recovery and nutrition.
The next storyline will be whether Merson’s warning and Burn’s campaign turn awareness into habit - for England’s players and for footballers watching at home.