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Last weekend, former Barcelona and Spain football player Andres Iniesta celebrated his birthday: on May 11, one of the best midfielders in history turned 40 years old. Sport recalls the best moment in the career of the famous player and admits that the “golden” goal at the 2010 World Cup might not have happened if the most titled Spanish player in history (37 titles) had not overcome depression.
< br>Andres Iniesta
- Nine-time champion of Spain, winner of six Cups and seven Super Cups of the country;
- Four-time winner of the UEFA Champions League;
- Winner of three UEFA Super Cups, winner of the Club World Cup;
- World Champion – 2010;
- Two-time European champion (2008, 2012), best player of Euro 2012;
- Multiple times included in the symbolic teams according to the versions of the International Football Federation (FIFA), the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and prestigious publications;
- In 2010, he became second in the voting for the Ballon d'Or winner, and two years later – third;
- Together with Vissel Kobe he became the champion of Japan, and also won the Emperor's Cup and the national Super Cup.
Despite how impressive the Spaniard's portfolio looks, there could be no trophies in his career be at least twice as large. The fact is that in the 2009/10 season, Iniesta faced severe depression, which dealt a serious blow to the star and almost threw her out of professional sports.
Many people have gone through this disease. The great goalkeeper, world champion in the Italian national team Gianluigi Buffon coped with it, but the German goalkeeper Robert Enke did not crawl out of the psychological hole… At the end of 2009, the number one of the national team passed away.
Enke's death was not the only shock to the football world that year: Daniel Jarque, the former Espanyol captain and close friend of Iniesta, died of heart failure during pre-season training in Florence. This loss, coupled with injuries, due to which Andres missed most of the season, caused depression for the Spaniard – the joy from last year's treble with the Catalans (victories in the championship and the Copa del Rey, plus a triumph in the Champions League) has faded. At the beginning of 2010, a depressed Iniesta thought about skipping the World Cup, which was hosted by Africa for the first time in history.
To understand how big the athlete’s problem was, it’s enough to turn to his autobiography “The Artist: Being Iniesta,” in which the midfielder describes his experiences and dark thoughts… In one of the TV interviews, Andres admitted that “in such situations, people can do crazy things.” actions,” because they are not in themselves. This is how Iniesta answered the question about the possibility of suicide.
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"I decided to talk about my mental health when I was struggling with problems. I understand that I am a public person, but I must speak as it is. I was never afraid that someone would call me crazy… Or weak. When I was struggling with depression, the most enjoyable part of the day for me was taking my pill and sleeping. I lost my joy in life, in everything. I hugged my wife, but it was like hugging a pillow…I didn’t feel anything.” (Barca Universal)
Iniesta described what was happening to him as a disgusting state of health with a lack of understanding of what was wrong with the body. After all, according to the results of medical tests, the athlete was absolutely healthy – because of this, the Spaniard ended up “in a vicious circle.”
However, Iniesta still went to SOUTH AFRICA. The course of treatment with a Barcelona psychologist, work on oneself, the support of loved ones and the persuasion of partners in Barcelona and the national team had an effect. As foreign media reported, Andres' decision to go to the World Cup was also influenced by Josep Guardiola, at that time the head coach of the Blue Garnets.
br>And the midfielder showed himself in all his glory! Six matches, the winning goal against the Chileans in the final round of the group stage and the “golden ball” against the Netherlands in the final match in Johannesburg. In the 115th minute, Iniesta, after his opponents had failed in defense, received the ball from Cesc Fabregas near the edge of the penalty area, handled the ball with one touch, and with the second he crossed Maarten Stekelenburg, bringing Spain its first ever World Cup gold.
Having opened the account, the Spaniard took off his T-shirt and remained in a white T-shirt with the inscription “Dani Jarque: always with us”.
The commemorative jersey that Iniesta wore under the away kit, like the “golden goal” itself, will become for Andres a symbol of overcoming himself… Now it can be seen in the museum “Espanyola”.
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Even after many years, Iniesta sometimes returns to that difficult period and gives advice to those who are also trying to fight one of the most common mental disorders of ours days:
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"I love listening to professionals talk about mental health and depression. Life teaches us that mental health problems can affect everyone. It's not about material things: you can buy all the cars in the world, everything you want, but you will still find it difficult when faced with life's difficulties. Train your brain".
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