There are many reasons that professional soccer players may struggle with mental health. As well as the normal life issues that we all face, pro players could also experience injuries and burnout (both mental and physical), external pressures, and exacting personal expectations, including around body image and traditional ideas of masculinity and femininity.

With the recent wave of professional athletes, including many high-profile soccer players, speaking out about their own struggles with mental health, the tide is beginning to turn. Coaches, managers, and players themselves are increasingly regarding mental health as being just as important as physical well-being and are taking steps to enact positive change and inspire others to seek support or nurture healthier habits.

Neymar Jr: Struggling in the Wake of an Injury

Brazilian professional soccer player Neymar Jr (full name Neymar da Silva Santos Junior) currently plays as a forward for Brazil’s national team and the Saudi Pro League club Al Halil. Following a serious injury in 2018, Neymar began to struggle with depression and has spoken out about both his mental health struggles and the importance of a combination of therapy and medication in his recovery.

Speaking publicly after his return to the pitch, Neymar stated how crucial it is that athletes take care of their mental health, saying, “When you are mentally well, things happen naturally. You are more likely to do the right things.”

Andres Iniesta: Bereavement and Depression

Bereavement is a common and understandable trigger for depression, and this is just as true for top-flight athletes as it is for everyone else. The World Cup winner and retired Spanish midfielder began to suffer from depression following the death of his teammate and friend, Dani Jarque, in 2009.

Talking about his struggles, Iniesta said that the support of the family and friends he reached out to, as well as his love for soccer, were instrumental in getting him through some dark times – and he dedicated the goal that won the 2010 World Cup to Jarque.

Raheem Sterling: Coping with Anxiety

For the England and Manchester City Player, struggles with anxiety resulted in a partnership with the meditation app Headspace in a bid to help reduce the stigma around mental health. For Sterling, mindfulness and meditation techniques, which are taught by the app, have helped his mental health both on and off the pitch. 

Speaking specifically to young people, Sterling advocates for mental health being taken care of to the same degree as physical health – and that meditation can both clear the mind and help us make the best decisions possible. For the star player, changing conversations around mental health is the goal and one he’s committed to putting in the back of the net.

Seeking Support to Overcome a Mental Health Problem

It’s estimated that around one in five people in the US are living with a mental health problem; that’s approximately 57.8 million individuals. If you’re struggling, it’s important to know that there is plenty of help and support available and that things can be turned around, no matter how dark things may seem right now.

As well as regular in-person counseling options, there are now many online therapy services available, meaning you can access the support you need from the comfort of your own home. If this is something that you feel would suit you, check out the top ten online therapy platforms to ensure you get the service that best fits your needs.

Taking some simple steps to nurture positive habits can also have a significant impact on our mental health. This includes making sure we get enough good-quality sleep by not bringing devices to bed with us, eating a delicious, nutritious diet that contains all the vitamins we need, and trying to get out into the fresh air (even for a short time) every day.

Changing the Cultural Climate

While mental health may not have previously been high on professional soccer’s agenda, things are changing, with more and more soccer stars feeling comfortable in speaking out about their own mental health experiences. And this is working to generate real change: the UK’s Football Association (FA) recently signed the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation and has produced a comprehensive mental health guide for managers and coaches. Going forward, the signs are positive, with players’ ongoing willingness to talk about mental health, which is vital in breaking down stigmas and inspiring others to reach out for the support they need to turn things around.