Tottenham Hotspur star Richarlison has discussed his mental health struggles
Tottenham Hotspur star Richarlison has admitted he considered crashing his car into a wall during a battle with depression. The forward was deeply affected by the pressure that surrounded him following Brazil’s exit at the World Cup 2022.
From the outside, the World Cup was a positive experience for the 28-year-old, whose bicycle kick against Serbia won the goal of the tournament. The Spurs forward had been given the honour of leading the line for the five-time World Cup winners.
He scored three goals in total but could not prevent his country from being eliminated by Croatia on penalties in the quarter-finals. However, the disappointment took a toll on his mental health and Richarlison has shared how his thoughts began to spiral.
"One day, while driving, I thought about crashing into a wall,” Richarlison said to France Football. “Today, when I think about it, I tell myself it's pointless.”
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He continued: "After the 2022 World Cup, I fell into a depression. Every possible misfortune befell me: the elimination, my agent's betrayal, family problems, physical setbacks... For a year and a half, I suffered blow after blow every single day.”
Having signed for Spurs from Everton in the summer of 2022, the striker ended his first season with just one league goal. However, through working with a psychologist, Richarlison rediscovered a more positive mindset.
"It was the first time I had to deal with so many problems,” he explained. ”In all that chaos, I met an honest lawyer who put my affairs and assets in order. I worked with a psychologist and, most importantly, I met my wife."
As the World Cup 2026 approaches, the former Everton icon plans to take Manchester United midfielder Casemiro’s advice and not look at social media if he is named in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. However, it is not the first time that Richarlison has given an insight into his struggles with depression.
In March 2024, during a heartfelt interview with ESPN Brasil, the Spurs striker 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 added: “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, for you to be talking to the person.
“Today a (psychologist) came to thank me for taking this to the world of football, to the world, outside the pitch too, because it is very important and, whether we like it or not, it saves lives.
“I had this prejudice before, I thought it was nonsense, I thought I was crazy. In my family, there are people who think that anyone who goes to a psychologist thinks they are crazy, they think they are insane. But I discovered this and thought it was wonderful. The best thing, really the best discovery I’ve ever had in my life.”
Richarlison has scored 10 goals in 38 appearances for Spurs this season. He most recently played for Brazil in October 2025.