After Brazil’s 2022 World Cup quarterfinal loss to Croatia, the forward Richarlison has disclosed that he struggled with depression and thought about giving up football.
Tottenham player Richarlison announced in September that he would seek psychiatric assistance following photos of him sobbing on the bench during Brazil’s 5-1 thumping of Bolivia in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match. The 26-year-old, who has 48 caps, has advised athletes to get mental health treatment.
“I was playing at my best right before the World Cup,” Richarlison said to ESPN Brazil. “It’s true that I was at my breaking point. I’m not going to talk about killing myself, but I was depressed and wanted to give up at that point. Even me, who appeared to have a strong mind. Following the World Cup, everything appeared to come apart.
Richarlison arrived at Spurs in 2022 from Everton, and since then, he has made 26 appearances and scored 11 goals. “I don’t know what was going through my mind when I went to training; I just wanted to go home and go back to my room,” he remarked. “I even went to tell my dad that I was going to quit.”
Speaking in that way is a little depressing. What transpired following the World Cup for me… It would be insane for me to approach my father, who supported me while I pursued my dream, and say, “Dad, I want to give up.”
He claimed that attending therapy was the best choice he had ever made. “Whether you agree with it or not, I believe the therapist saved my life,” Richarlison continued. “My only thought was garbage. It’s good for you to be talking to someone and opening up like that, so seek help if you need a psychologist.
