Brazil’s Richarlison admits battle with depression after World Cup 2022

Brazil and Tottenham Hotspurs’ striker Richarlison admitted that he battled with depression after his country suffered a quarter-final defeat to Croatia on penalty shootouts in the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Richarlison, 26, admitted that there were times when he even considered quitting football as he was close to giving up everything. He has urged players to not be ashamed to ask for support for mental health issues.

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

The Brazilian joined Spurs from Everton for a reported fee of £60 million in 2022 and has netted 11 goals in 26 matches this season so far as he is valued highly by Ange Postecoglou.

“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 said. “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 says, ‘Dad, I want to give up’, is crazy.”

He also stated that going to therapy saved his life as opening up to a psychologist did help him.

“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,” Richarlison added

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