Leveraging his background as a psychology graduate, Robin Gosens has sought to break a kind of silence within the world of football. He has spoken openly about the psychological struggles that players can face, including depression or a general underlying sense of unease, despite earning very large sums of money.
“I`ve been seeing a psychologist for years because I needed someone who would listen to me without judging,” Gosens revealed. He stressed that money cannot buy health. “Players earn a lot, it`s true, but fans need to understand that a footballer with plenty of money can still have family problems, health issues, external pressures, or mental difficulties, and they can`t just go to a pharmacy to buy a cure. We are not just football players, we are people.”
The article also mentions Gosens` recent career path, having played for Fiorentina last year after spells at Atalanta and Inter, in addition to his time at Union Berlin. Last season, he accumulated 8 goals and 10 assists in 43 appearances.
“The problem is that mental problems are still a taboo, something nobody wants to talk about,” he continued. “Mental issues are still seen as a weakness, and consequently, footballers, and people in general, choose not to speak about them. This doesn`t help anyone; you do yourself wrong, and also others, because perhaps fans don`t understand why you go onto the pitch and play poorly. There should be a way to open up. We have the responsibility to say we are with them, but we also need to make them understand they must open up. If you open up, you help many people.” Today, Robin Gosens turns 30 years old.
