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Tottenham ace reveals turning point in his fight against mental demons; a winner on and off the pith

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back | Last updated May 27, 2025 9:02 AM ET

Richarlison sound sout a heartfelt message about battling depression and overcoming setbacks in Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League triumph

Tottenham’s season ended in the most unpredictable manner. It would have been a bold prediction to even have them finish 17th in the Premier League, with fewer people believing they would end up lifting the Europa League trophy. They did however, and now this victory stands as a strong milestone for the squad, as well a renewed focus towards the future. Meanwhile off the pitch, Richarlison has been growing in confidence and has recently opened up about the emotional toll of this journey, even discussing his depression after Brazil’s World Cup elimination in 2022, revealing even disturbing suicidal thoughts at that time.

Richarlison played in only 24 games in all competitions this season (942 minutes of playing time) after being out for a considerable portion of the season due to injury. To say that the Brazilian forward’s season started rough would be an understatement, and it was magnificent to see it end on such a high note.

Richarlison announced the end to his season in really emotional fashion after he and Tottenham won their first trophy in 17 years, beating Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final, which also secured Spurs’ place in next season’s Champions League. With the season officially ending on Sunday, the 28-year-old shared a heartfelt post on social media looking back on his time during the season.

The trophy means a lot for the Brazilian

Tottenham’s 2024/25 season tested every player in the squad, including Richarlison. The Brazilian forward posted on Instagram about his emotional journey, experiencing injury, anxiety, and competing with himself to get back to some sort of form.

Richarlison had a difficult start to the season to say the least. He returned to Brazil in February briefly. The trip helped him find himself, also find his love for the game again. He described football as his therapy, and he needed therapy.

Despite everything, he helped us to achieve our memorable Europa League win. Lifting the trophy was not just a football win for Richarlison, it was validation for a team that no one believed in. Now with that belief, the Brazilian is ready for.

Having just secured European medal success, Richarlison is preparing for an international return with Carlo Ancelotti reportedly set to name the Tottenham forward into his first Brazil squad. If he does play, it will be his first Selecao appearance since October 2023. As summer arrives, all eyes will be firmly set on Richarlison’s next step – will he remain in North London, or seek a new experience for a new challenge?

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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