Richarlison ‘fantastic’ after what Tottenham and Brazil forward told media
Paul Robinson has hailed Tottenham ace Richarlison for being so open about his battle with mental health issues while on international duty with Brazil.
In quotes reported by BBC Sport (20 March) the 26-year-old forward said how he was at “rock bottom” and that seeking help saved his life.
Richarlison had first spoken about how he would seek help to address his issues back in September after he was seen in tears on the bench for Brazil.
Former Spurs goalkeeper Robinson praised Richarlison for his attitude towards mental health and hopes it will help others who may have been struggling to speak out.
“I think that’s the society and the world that we live in now, I think people are becoming more and more open about their problems whereas before it’s been kept inside and behind closed doors,” Robinson told Tottenham News.
“Footballers are seen as role models, they’re seen as idols and for other people with similar issues who may not want to talk about them or come out and deal with issues, when they see the likes of Richarlison and other footballers being open about addressing their issues it maybe makes other people realise that they’re not on their own and it’s not an issue that needs keeping to their selves.
“I think it’s very, very important that footballers do talk openly about any issues they may have and may share, and I think it’s a lot safer world and a lot safer environment now for people with these types of issues and I think that as role models, as idols, it’s a good thing that football players do talk about it because as a footballer you’re dealing with perception quite a lot.
“You’re perceived as a certain type of person and we’re all guilty of it, people in the spotlight and in the media, you’ll talk about it among your friends and say ‘I don’t like him, I don’t like that’ for whatever reason.
“And you’ve never met that person, you don’t know what’s going on behind their eyes, you don’t know what’s going on in their personal life.
“You might actually really get on with that person if you met them in real life and we’re all guilty of judging people on perception and what you think based on what you see on TV and in the media and quite often a perception that’s built up by others without having your own point of view.
“And as a footballer, ex-footballer, you find that people talk to you and go ‘you’re not what I expected you to be’ and it’s like ‘what did you expect me to be? You don’t know me’ and there’s a lot of problems like that in football.
“People presume they know you and what’s going on in your life as a person. I think Richarlison speaking out, if it helps just one other person, that’s fantastic.”
Tottenham ace Richarlison speaks bravely on mental health issues
It is always refreshing to see prominent sports figures be so open and Richarlison’s words could have a great impact on others struggling.
Sometimes people can easily forget that footballers are human too and have the same struggles and problems that those not in the spotlight can have.
Robinson is absolutely right in that his actions here could really help others who are struggling to seek help or speak out.
And if that does happen then Richarlison’s bravery to speak so openly about the problems he has encountered will have had a great effect.
In other Tottenham news, a transfer update has emerged on Nottingham Forest ace Morgan Gibbs-White.
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