Richarlison, a Tottenham and Brazil star, has admitted that he struggled from desperation after ‘everything came apart’ following the 2022 World Cup.
Richarlison scored three goals as Brazil’s starting forward at the World Cup in Qatar, including the tournament-winning scissor kick against Serbia in the group stage.
In an emotional interview with ESPN Brasil, the 26-year-old acknowledged that he suffered from despair following the tournament’s quarter-final elimination.
According to Richarlison, he told his father that he wanted to ‘give up’ due to off-the-field concerns and that he had ‘searched about death’ online.
In September of that year, the Tottenham forward stated that he would seek ‘psychological help’ after being seen crying on the bench during an international break with Brazil.
He stated that seeing a psychologist helped to ‘save his life’.
Read Also: Richarlison To Seek Therapy Over Off The Field Trouble
“I’d just played in a World Cup, man, at my peak,’ Richarlison 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.
“I think the therapist, like it or not, saved me, saved my life. I only thought rubbish. 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.
“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 has 11 goals in 26 matches for Tottenham this season, and the forward is in good form following groyne surgery in November.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
