Tottenham star admits he thought about quitting football a year ago

Richarlison has now opened up on his mental health struggles, revealing that he seriously considered retiring from the game after Brazil’s elimination from the World Cup.

Richarlison has spoken honestly over recent months about his mental health struggles and about seeking professional help about the same.

His decision to do so certainly seems to have had a positive effect on his demeanour and his game, with the forward turning around his form since returning from his injury lay-off in December.

The Tottenham man has now explained how he was struggling to cope after Brazil exited the World Cup in Qatar at the quarterfinal stage.

Richarlison told ESPN Brasil: “I’d just played in a World Cup, at my peak. 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.”

Richarlison opens up on his mental health struggles

The 26-year-old explained that he struggled to get himself motivated to go to training at Tottenham, confessing that he had even spoken to his dad about calling time on his career.

Speaking about being back at Spurs, he said: “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.

“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.”

Richarlison revealed that seeking therapy has proven a transformative experience for him and called on others to seek professional help if they are in a rut.

He added: “I think the therapist, like it or not, saved me, saved my life. I only thought rubbish … 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.”

Spurs Web Opinion

It is heartening to see conversations around mental health being normalised and when top-level athletes like Richy open up about their struggles, it certainly goes a long way in helping others who are going through similar struggles realise that they are not alone.

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