Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison has lifted the lid on his battle with depression after the 2022 World Cup and credited his therapist for 'saving his life' during his dark period.
The 26-year-old travelled to Qatar as Brazil's leading number nine and came up with three goals in the tournament, netting a brace against Serbia and also finding the net against South Korea in the last 16.
However, the five-time winners' run came to an agonising end at the hands of Croatia in the quarter-finals, and amid Brazil's World Cup misery, Richarlison was also struggling to make his mark in North London.
The ex-Everton man scored just one Premier League goal during his debut campaign with Tottenham, also struggling with calf and hamstring injuries, leading him to admit that his first season with the Lilywhites was "shit".
Then-manager Antonio Conte agreed with Richarlison's blunt assessment, and the opening weeks of the 2023-24 season followed a similar pattern for the attacker, who was seen crying on the bench after being substituted in Brazil's friendly win over Bolivia in September.
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It was at that point that Richarlison admitted to seeking psychological help for his off-field problems, one of which was believed to be a bitter split with former agent Renato Velasco over an alleged financial dispute.
The South American's confession led to an outpouring of support from the footballing world, and he hit a rich vein of form for Tottenham over the winter months, netting nine goals in eight Premier League games from December 10 to February 3.
In an emotional interview with ESPN Brasil, Richarlison admitted that he wanted to "give up" following the World Cup and urged others who are struggling with their mental health to visit a therapist, claiming that the decision to seek help was the "best discovery" of his life.
"I'd just played in a World Cup, man, 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," Richarlison said.
"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.
EXCLUSIVO!🚨
— ESPN Brasil (@ESPNBrasil) March 27, 2024
Richarlison fala à ESPN como psicóloga salvou, literalmente, sua vida
👉🏽 https://t.co/MpMlnBR46s#FutebolNaESPN pic.twitter.com/GBpHJdvJxB
"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.
"I had this prejudice before, I thought it was nonsense, I thought I was crazy. In my family, there are people who think that anyone who goes to a psychologist thinks they are crazy, they think they are insane. But I discovered this and thought it was wonderful. The best thing, really the best discovery I've ever had in my life."
Richarlison was an unused substitute during Brazil's March friendlies with England and Spain, as the Selecao and Tottenham manage his fitness carefully following a recent knee injury.
However, the 26-year-old could return to the Lilywhites' first XI for Saturday's Premier League clash with Luton Town, where Ange Postecoglou's team will seek an immediate return to winning ways after their embarrassing 3-0 loss against Fulham.
Ben Knapton
