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| Andres Iniesta of Vissel Kobe in action during the J.LEAGUE Meiji Yasuda J1 22nd Sec. match between Kashima Antlers and Vissel Kobe at Kashima Soccer Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Kashima, Ibaraki, Japan. |
Former Barcelona star Andreas Iniesta has opened up on his brutal battle with depression during one stage of his illustrious career.
The Spain international midfielder struggled through a spell of injuries that sidelined him for the majority of the 2009/10 season after winning the treble with the Catalan giants the season before.
The 38-year-old, who currently plays in Japan for Vissel Kobe, won nine LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns during his spell with Barca between the years of 2002 and 2018.
Iniesta, who also won two European championships and a World Cup with Spain, revealed that he lost his lust for life during his injury struggles.
‘When I was fighting depression, the best time of day was when I took my pills and went to bed. I lost the will to live,’ Iniesta said while speaking with The Wild Project.
‘I hugged my wife, but it was like hugging a pillow. You don’t feel anything.’Iniesta, who is considered one of the greatest players to play for Barcelona and arguably part of the best midfield pairing alongside current manager Xavi, also admitted that he still goes to therapy to help with his mental health.
‘I am still going to therapy, as I need to be at peace with myself. I like to listen to professionals talk about mental health and depression.’
‘Eventually, life teaches you that depression and mental health can affect anyone. It’s not about material things. I could have had all the cars in the world and everything.
‘I wanted, and it still is hard to face life’s problems. You need to train your brain.’
This comes after Iniesta recently revealed that he would ‘love’ a return to Barcelona after finishing his contract with Japanese side Vissel Kobe.
The iconic Spanish midfielder has been in Japan for the last four years as he winds down his playing career after making the move in 2018 as his last Barcelona contract ended.
Iniesta is now thinking about the next step in his football career and revealed that a move to Barca would be like a homecoming for him, although his mind is not made up on what role he would take.
He told Gazetta dello Sport: ‘I’ll continue at Vissel Kobe for another year… and then we’ll see. I would love to return to Barca.
‘It’s my home, but I still don’t know in what way: coach, sports director or something like that.’
