Richarlison Opens Up About Depression Battle

Richarlison, the Tottenham Hotspur forward, has opened up about his mental health battles, revealing he contemplated crashing his car into a wall while battling depression. On 2022, after Brazil's World Cup elimination, Richarlison fell into a depression.

Richarlison was hugely affected by the intense pressure following Brazil's elimination at the 2022 World Cup. He scored three goals in total but was unable to prevent his country from exiting the competition in a penalty shootout defeat to Croatia in the quarter-finals.

The disappointment severely impacted his mental well-being, and Richarlison has candidly shared how his thoughts began to spiral. He told France Football, "One day, while driving, I thought about crashing into a wall."

Having joined Spurs from Everton in the summer of 2022, the striker ended his debut campaign with merely one league goal. However, through sessions with a psychologist, Richarlison regained a more positive perspective. He worked with a psychologist and met his wife, which helped him cope with his depression.

Richarlison has scored 10 goals in 38 outings for Spurs this season. At international level, he last played for Brazil in October 2025. The former Everton favourite intends to follow Manchester United midfielder Casemiro's advice and steer clear of social media should he earn a place in Carlo Ancelotti's squad for the 2026 World Cup.

In March 2024, during an emotional interview with ESPN Brasil, Richarlison said, "I was reaching my limit, you know? I don't know, I'm not going to talk about killing myself, but I was in a depression there, and I wanted to give up." He continued, "Today I can say, look for a psychologist, if you need a psychologist, look for one because it's nice for you to open up like that."

Richarlison's bicycle kick against Serbia claimed the goal of the tournament award at the 2022 World Cup. He was entrusted with leading the attack for the five-time World Cup champions. The Spurs forward has been open about his battle with depression, using his platform to raise awareness and encourage others to seek help.

As the 2026 World Cup draws closer, Richarlison is focused on his mental health and well-being. He has found support in his wife and psychologist, which has helped him cope with the pressures of professional football. Richarlison's story serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness in sports.