Sporting’s side is criticized by fans. According to FIFPro, 38% of players suffer from depression.
We run from them at seven feet, but mistakes are part of our way. They say that the fault is human. But in sports, one of the most scrutinized areas in the world, footballers’ feelings falter in the eyes of those who watch the matches and forget that the athlete is a man like everyone else. Riccardo Esgaio, an athlete, is the latest example: Mistakes on the field have left fans blowing whistles and uttering less-than-kind words on social media. But when the feedback travels off the pitches and reaches the target’s beds, how does the player protect themselves?
“Close social networks and live in a bubble,” notes JN, Jorge Silverio, a sports psychologist. Mental health is an increasingly concerning topic. According to a study conducted by FIFPro (International Federation of Professional Footballers), professional footballers suffer more from mental illnesses than the general public. Of the 607 athletes interviewed, 38% reported symptoms of depression and anxiety – Andre Gomes, when playing for Barcelona, lost his desire to play football – 23% had sleep disturbances and 15% had stress symptoms. The media pressure is greater, it is social networks that provoke individual criticism, many players feel the pressure when they are transferred for exorbitant amounts, and some still have difficulties adjusting in some countries – Darwin (formerly Benfica) has a similar case at Liverpool. Perhaps that is why clubs and federations invest in psychology departments to protect the mental health of players, preparing them for stress and fame.
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