Former Barcelona captain Lionel Messi revealed that during his time at the Spanish side, he had to seek the help of a professional psychologist, who helped him deal with the growing pressures that surface at the very top of professional football.
Since making the switch to Florida with David Beckham’s MLS franchise Inter Miami, Lionel Messi has seemingly enjoyed taking a step away from the limelight of European football to continue playing stateside.
The Argentina captain’s move has sparked a football frenzy in the MLS, with Hollywood’s biggest names flocking to the games alongside the game’s many diehard fans to witness Messi and his former Barcelona teammates lighting up the league.
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During his time in Catalonia, Lionel Messi ushered in a new era of footballer; his performances for Barcelona became legend, cementing the team’s dominance in Spanish football. Over two decades, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner scored more than 670 goals to lead Barcelona to 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Reys, eight Supercopa de España titles, and four Champions League triumphs.
Yet, speaking to the Spanish-language site Infobae, the World Champion spoke candidly about his persistent mental health struggles that surfaced during the peak of his glittering career. During a time when he was the greatest footballer on the planet, he revealed that he sought a professional psychologist’s help when the pressures of the game were at their highest.
“The truth is that when I was in Barcelona a long time ago, I went [to a psychologist]. I had never tried it – I was very reluctant to all that. I didn’t like it. I am a person who keeps everything inside and I eat both the good and the bad,” Messi admitted.
“The truth is that when I went, it was very good for me, I liked it a lot – it has helped me a lot. But then I stopped and I didn’t go anymore. But the time I went a long time ago, I liked it – it did me good, it helped me. But I don’t go anymore.”
It’s a telling insight into the mind of the game’s greatest-ever player; Lionel Messi is a hero to millions around the world, yet his admission highlights the immense pressure elite athletes endure.
The Miami forward’s candour is an important reminder that even the greatest talents are not immune to the stresses of performing at the highest level. The importance of mental health support for professional athletes at the top of their game cannot be overstated.