Ex-Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker has revealed he thought he would retire early due to fearing the pressure he’d face in his career.
In an interview with Premier League, the German footballer also revealed that he once vomited before games because of nerves.
Radio host and life-long friend, the ex-Gunners defender, spoke with him. ArsenalRoman Kemp talks about mental health in football, as part of World Mental Health Day.
When asked if he’d suffered himself, Mertesacker, who is currently manager of Arsenal’s academy, said: “I mean, yes, seriously, you know, I’ve been affected.
“You know, not only myself by rethinking ‘What am I doing here?’ You know, when does it all stop?
“I’ve been in the game for 15 years as a professional you know, and even at the start of it, I recall teammates saying that I told them that I’m going to stop [playing football]Because I predicted the pressure at 27
“It isn’t easy to take.”
Mertesacker was a 221-game Arsenal player, winning three FA Cups. He also won the Golden Globe. World CupGermany in 2014.
However, behind his impressive career and trophies, the 38 year-old admitted that he struggled to handle the mental weight of playing at this level and even physical side-effects.
“What is it about football that makes footballers constantly want to hide from the public? Everyone feels like it could weaken your position,” he added.
He continued: “Similar to me. I had been vomiting just before the games began. It’s crazy when you think of the amount of pressure that needs to be released.
“I took it as part of the game, playing in front of 60,000, there is an element of pressure.
Mertesacker recognises that it’s important to feel as though you can lean on teammates in tough times.
After losing his Hannover 96 teammate Robert Enke, to commit suicideThe German encourages players speak out.
He believes that players who are open about their problems will improve their performance on the pitch.
“I felt comfortable when the game started and relying on my teammates. That is powerful, to say you are not being singled out,” he said.
“So I think we need to make sure that we have, you know, a group of people that stand strong together, that’s what we believe. That’s why it’s the greatest team sport that was created.
“I think we should slowly be in a position where we open up on our feelings and make sure we let it out to be more free on the football pitch.
“Obviously there will be disappointing moments. There will be academy releases. We will also lose.
“That will be part of it. But the conversation around it is absolutely key.”
