Richarlison proof of what can happen when you don't give up
By Gary Pearson
The Brazilian received heaps of criticism for his first season and a half in north London. Goals dried up like overcooked scrambled eggs, and Richarlison's confidence was completely drained. He struggled to cope with a dogmatic manager who, rather than support and encourage him, criticized and lambasted him. Antonio Conte wasn't the only problem, but the fiery Italian didn't help.
Cue Big Ange's arrival. The Australian gaffer professed his admiration for Richarlison, making sure the out-of-sorts forward was reminded of his worth. Remember, this is a player Spurs spent £60 million on during the summer of 2022. Crippling pressure can come with such an enormous price tag, especially if things don't go as intended.
Many people counted out the 26-year-old. Even the player had serious doubts about whether he could recover from the lowest doldrums of his career. In September, after Brazil beat Bolivia 5-1, a game in which Richarlison broke down, Spurs' frontman decided to seek help from a mental health professional.
🚨Richarlison on his mental health and the struggles that he’s endured:
— Last Word On Spurs (@LastWordOnSpurs) February 10, 2024
🗣️“The club helped me to get help. That was really important to me because there were days when I didn’t want to leave my house, my room.”
🗣️”I went to training and then straight back home and locked myself… pic.twitter.com/OjgH8Urzfv
While reluctant, it was the best thing he could have done. Richarlison got the help he needed despite his initial reservations about the process. Like so many people in society, he believed in the previous stigma attached to seeking help. He had a preconception that only crazy people seek mental health advice. Richarlison quickly found out that was not the case. That treatment facilitated his recovery, allowing Richarlison to believe in himself again.
The help he received, in conjunction with his teammates and manager's support, has revived Richarlison's career. He has been nominated for January's Player of the Month award and has skyrocketed up the goal-scoring leadership board, trailing Erling Haaland by four goals.
It's a redemption story anyone, struggling or not, can take inspiration from. While easier said than done, there is no shame in seeking help—quite the opposite. Richarlison's return to prominence offers hope for anyone facing internal or external battles. The cherry on top is seeing him bag goals at a rate the world's most prolific strikers would be proud of.