Tottenham forward Richarlison says seeking psychological help “saved his life” and has urged others with mental health issues to do the same.
The Brazil international, 26, said he was at “rock bottom” but therapy helped him to “turn things around”.
He has scored nine goals in his past 13 Spurs games and could reach 50 Brazil caps in upcoming friendly games against England and Spain.
“As a player who has an active voice, I tell people to seek help,” he said.
“We know how prejudiced people are when they say they’re looking for [psychological] help. Thank god I’m not prejudiced about it any more.
“I talk about it because it saved my life. I was at rock bottom. Only players know how much pressure we’re under, not only on the pitch but also off it.”
Richarlison said he was going to seek psychological help in September after he was pictured in tears while being substituted during Brazil’s 5-1 World Cup qualifying win over Bolivia.
The former Watford player said his reaction was the result of “getting the things that were happening off the pitch out of my system”.
On the pitch he had scored only four goals in 40 games for Spurs since joining for £60m from Everton in the summer of 2022.
In November, he had surgery on a groin injury he had been suffering with for “eight months” and was sidelined for several weeks.
Since returning in December Richarlison has rediscovered his goalscoring form and earned a recall to the Brazil squad.
“I’m back in the Premier League, helping my club,” he added.
“A few months ago, when I didn’t get a call-up to the national team and said I will return, I worked hard during those days. I’m happy, and I’ve managed to turn things around.”
