Health · Mental Health · 18 hrs ago
Alessandro Matri says he overcame depression and health anxiety through therapy
Former Italian footballer Alessandro Matri spoke about his mental health on the TV show Ballando con le Stelle.
He said the end of his time at Juventus was painful, and returning to AC Milan brought pressure he struggled to manage.
Matri said he became depressed and feared he had serious illnesses, including ALS or multiple sclerosis.
He said he felt ashamed to talk about it, but telling his partner Federica Nargi and his parents helped him feel supported.
Matri said therapy helped him recover, and that the birth of his daughters also helped him.
He still has some health fears and gets medical tests every six months.
He said he is proud of his career and wants people who feel alone to know they can speak about what they are going through.
Alessandro Matri said he experienced depression and health anxiety after his football career took a difficult turn.
He said he feared he had serious illnesses, including ALS or multiple sclerosis.
Matri said telling his partner, Federica Nargi, and his parents helped him feel supported.
He said therapy helped him recover and that he is now doing better.
He shared his experience on the Italian television show Ballando con le Stelle.
- Who
- Alessandro Matri, a former professional footballer.
- What
- He spoke about depression and health anxiety, saying therapy helped him recover.
- When
- He shared his account during an episode of Ballando con le Stelle; the article was published on 7 November 2026.
- Where
- On the Italian television show Ballando con le Stelle.
- Why
- He said pressure, expectations and a difficult period in his football career contributed to his struggles.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Matri said the club told him he was no longer part of its plans, and the departure was painful.
He said he struggled with expectations and pressure and began experiencing depression and health anxiety.
Matri said he told Federica Nargi and his parents about his fears and felt cared for and protected.
He said therapy helped him recover and that he is doing better.
Corriere dello Sport published Matri’s account of his experience on Ballando con le Stelle.
- Football clubs
- Milan, Cagliari and Juventus
- Health fears
- ALS and multiple sclerosis
- Support
- Federica Nargi and his parents
- Treatment
- Therapy
- Television show
- Ballando con le Stelle
- Published
- 7 November 2026
What people are saying
I thought I had something serious like ALS or multiple sclerosis.
I recovered by going to therapy, and I am always getting better.
There was no hostility from coaches and managers; I was the one who was ashamed to talk about it, but you have to.