Speaking on Wednesday, Richarlison fought back tears as he broke rank to reveal his battle with depression.
Footballers don’t often speak out. When they do it’s normally about wins, losses or draws. They sometimes preview or review games but, more often that not, they prefer to keep their private lives exactly that.
Yet Richarlison deserves immense credit. While it was undoubtedly difficult for the Brazil international to speak about his mental health, his decision to do so can pave the way for others to follow suit.
The former Everton and Watford star, speaking to ESPN Brasil, confessed he considered giving up football after the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
Richarlison deserves immense credit with the Tottenham star bravely sharing his battle with depression
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“I’d just played in a World Cup, at my peak,” he said.
“I was reaching my limit, you know? I don’t know, I’m not going to talk about killing myself, but I was in a depression there, and I wanted to give up.
“Even I, who seemed to be mentally strong. After the World Cup, it seemed like it all fell apart.”
Months earlier, Richarlison had left Everton for Tottenham. He initially underwhelmed in north London, however, and became a kind of scapegoat for the club’s issues under Antonio Conte.
But he is back now. Back to his best, back to showing why Spurs paid £60million to secure his signature.
He has bagged 11 goals from 26 matches this term and life for the forward is good. He has the backing of manager Ange Postecoglou, who has helped the Brazilian become brilliant once more.
It has been a big battle for the player, however. At one point, he didn’t even want to train.
“Before I went to training, I wanted to go home, I wanted to go back to my room because I don’t know what was going through my head,” he added.
“I even went and told my dad I was going to give up.
“It’s kind of sad to talk like that. What I went through after the World Cup … To go to my father, who was the guy who chased my dream with me, and say: ‘Dad, I want to give up’, is crazy.”
Like many others, Richarlison found going to therapy difficult.
Footballers are no exception. If it’s scary for your average Joe to go to a therapist, imagine being somebody whose face is everywhere.
“I think the therapist, like it or not, saved me, saved my life,” he candidly revealed.
“Even on Google, I only searched for rubbish, I only wanted to see rubbish about death.
“Today I can say, look for a psychologist, if you need a psychologist, look for one because it’s nice for you to open up like that, for you to be talking to the person.
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Richarlison has admitted he considered quitting football after the World Cup in 2022
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“Today a [psychologist] came to thank me for taking this to the world of football, to the world, outside the pitch too, because it is very important and, whether we like it or not, it saves lives.”
Richarlison said family members thought seeing a psychologist was ‘crazy’.
But with the forward now playing with a smile on his face again, the benefits are obvious.
Footballers, to some, are fictional characters.
Yet the truth of the matter is they are all human beings. They feel hurt, pain and other dark emotions just like everybody else.
Richarlison can pave the way for others to follow with the Tottenham star putting his demons behind him
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Life constantly in the spotlight can be tricky. Especially when you’re struggling, with fans on social media never afraid to mince their words.
Football needs more heroes like this to ensure more don’t suffer in silence.
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