Ronaldo has revealed he is in therapy following a battle with depression as the Brazil great bemoaned the way mental health problems were “absolutely ignored” during his playing days. The former PSV, Barcelona, Inter and Real Madrid superstar was widely recognised as one of the finest players of his generation.
Ronaldo went to four World Cups with Brazil and won both the Golden Boot and the Silver Ball in their 2002 success, having played no part in the Selecao’s 1994 triumph.
But he remarkably only won two domestic league titles (both in LaLiga with Madrid) as his career was hampered by injuries. In a new documentary on DAZN, Ronaldo discussed mental health in football with former Madrid and Brazil team-mate Roberto Carlos. And ‘O Fenomeno’ was asked further about his own struggles in an interview with Marca, confirming he had suffered from depression.
“Today I am in therapy,” Ronaldo said. “I have been in therapy for two and a half years, and I understand myself much better than before. But then again, I’m from a generation in which you were thrown into the arena and you had to do your best without the slightest hint of drama.”
