Richarlison had dark thoughts after World Cup

In a recent interview, Richarlison opened up about his battle with depression following the 2022 World Cup. He shared how undergoing therapy has helped him overcome his struggles. The soccer player revealed that seeking help was one of the best decisions he ever made, and he encourages anyone facing similar challenges to do the same. Through his story, Richarlison hopes to raise awareness about mental health and break the stigma surrounding it.

Richarlison, the Brazilian forward for Spurs, has shared with ESPN Brazil about his psychological well-being following the World Cup in Qatar. In an exclusive interview, he discloses how attending therapy sessions has assisted him. (3:18)

On March 27th, 2024 at 9:46 AM, the following blog was written.

Richarlison, a footballer from Brazil who plays for Tottenham, has revealed that he experienced some very worrying and upsetting emotions which made him question if he could keep going. He shared that he was confronting depression after participating in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

After the competition, Richarlison stated that he got assistance from a mental health professional. He noted that this experience was the most beneficial thing he has ever encountered in his existence.

Richarlison shared with ESPN Brasil that he felt the urge to go back home to his room before attending the training session. He did not know why he felt that way. He even spoke to his father about the possibility of giving up.

Speaking in such a manner is quite disheartening, don't you think? Reflecting on the period after the World Cup and learning about certain things from individuals who had shared their time with me for more than seven years...It's so unbelievable.

It would be insane to tell my father, who supported me in pursuing my ambitions, that I want to quit.

In Qatar, Richarlison, a 26-year-old football player, emerged as Brazil's top scorer by netting three goals in four matches. Unfortunately, his team was eliminated during the quarterfinals after a penalty shootout loss to Croatia.

Richarlison felt devastated after Brazil was knocked out of the World Cup in the quarterfinals. The pain was so intense that he even compared it to losing a loved one, which shows how much he cared about the tournament. He also opened up about how difficult it was to carry the weight of the Brazilian team's No. 9 shirt and the expectations that came with it.

During September 2023, Richarlison shared that he had been going through a difficult period outside of the football field. This came after he was spotted in tears while sitting on the bench following his substitution in Brazil's 5-1 victory against Bolívia.

An obstacle that he faced was his separation from his agent of many years, Renato Velasco. According to reports, their relationship came to a halt due to a disagreement about stolen money.

Richarlison said, "I had recently participated in the World Cup which was a highlight of my career. However, I was feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. I don't want to use the phrase 'killing myself,' but I was experiencing deep depression and felt like giving up."

Even though I appeared to possess great mental fortitude, everything seemed to crumble after the World Cup.

In my opinion, the therapist played a pivotal role in rescuing me and my life from doom. My mind was consumed with negative thoughts and irrelevant information. I used to browse Google relentlessly, seeking morbid details about death and other unsatisfactory topics.

Nowadays, I strongly recommend seeking out a psychologist if you feel the need for one. Opening up to someone can be really beneficial for you. I was recently thanked by a psychologist for bringing attention to this issue within the world of football, and beyond. It's crucial to recognize that seeking professional help can make a difference, and potentially even save lives.

At one point, I held a bias about seeking psychological help. I believed it was a foolish decision and that it showed signs of mental instability. Growing up, I was surrounded by family members who held the same views about seeking professional assistance. However, I eventually realized my misconception and came to see it as a remarkable tool. It was truly the most exceptional and significant finding of my life.

In July 2022, the striker finalized a transfer worth £60 million ($75.7m) from Everton to Tottenham Hotspur.

Although Richarlison was selected for both of Brazil's matches against England and Spain during the international window, he did not get to play in either game, leaving him with a total of 48 caps for the team.