Health · Mental Health · 11 hrs ago
Former Barcelona defender Jérémy Mathieu says he battled depression after retiring
Former France and Barcelona defender Jérémy Mathieu says he suffered depression after a serious knee injury forced him to retire in 2020.
He had hoped to play for two more years, and the sudden end to his career was difficult to accept.
For four years, he says, he felt lost and stayed mostly at home, with little interest even in football.
His wife and children supported him, but he says the situation affected the whole family.
A job at an Intersport store helped him regain strength and social contact; he began working there two years before speaking about his experience.
He later returned to the store after an unsuccessful attempt to join Sochaux's youth setup, and was offered a role as an assistant in its football section.
Former Barcelona defender Jérémy Mathieu says he experienced depression after a serious knee injury ended his football career in 2020.
He says he spent four years isolated at home and lost interest in football.
Mathieu says working at an Intersport store helped him rebuild his social life and recover.
He says his wife and children supported him, and that the period also affected his family.
- Who
- Jérémy Mathieu, a former Barcelona and France defender.
- What
- He says he battled depression after retiring from professional football.
- When
- After his career ended in 2020; he describes a four-year period of difficulty.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- A serious knee ligament injury ended his career earlier than he had planned.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mathieu ended his career after suffering a serious knee ligament injury while at Sporting Portugal.
He says he spent four years in a very dark period, isolated at home and with little interest in football.
Mathieu began working at an Intersport store, which he says helped him recover.
He made an unsuccessful attempt to join Sochaux’s youth football setup, then returned to Intersport.
- Career ended
- 2020
- Age at retirement
- 36
- Injury
- Serious knee ligament injury at Sporting Portugal
- Period of depression
- Four years, according to Mathieu
- Work that helped him recover
- Intersport store
What people are saying
I suffered from depression, there’s no need to hide it.
I was in a very dark place for four years. Luckily, my wife was there to help me get through it.
I was completely lost.
This job helped me regain my strength, rebuild my social life and, ultimately, live again.