Ronaldo opens up on mental health in football: I've been in psychological therapy for two and a half years

Tthere is always something to learn about geniuses, and Ronaldo Nazario He was a genius like few others.

In ‘The Phenomenon: The Rise, Fall and Redemption of Ronaldo’ on DAZN, the Brazilian deals a lot with football and also with mental health.

Ronaldo He spoke with MARCA about the mental health problems he has had to face.

Question: In the documentary you talk about mental health with your friend Roberto Carlos. Have you ever had depression?

Answer: “Yes, today I am in therapy. I’ve been in therapy for two and a half years and I understand myself much better than before.

“But then again, I’m from a generation where you were thrown into the arena and you had to do your best without a hint of drama. I look back and see that yes, we were exposed to a very, very big problem.” “. mental tension and without any preparation for it.

“Also because it was the beginning of the internet age, with the speed with which information travels. At that time there was no concern for the mental health of the players. Today the players are much better prepared, they are given the medical attention they need”. to face the day to day, and the players are studied more: the profiles of each player, how he reacts, how he should react…

“In my time there was none of that, unfortunately, because we have known all our lives that football can cause a lot of stress and be very decisive for the rest of our lives”.

Did you discuss it with someone or was it ‘not possible’ in the locker room?

“The reality is that we didn’t even know this kind of problem existed. He was absolutely ignored among our generation.

“Many, obviously, have gone through terrible times, even depressive, due to the lack of privacy, the lack of freedom… It is true that the problems were very evident, but the solutions were not very available.”