BRAZIL DEFENDER THIAGO Silva has spoken of how he suffered from a bout of depression after the host nation’s humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany in the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup.
In an interview which aired on Canal+ on Sunday, the Paris Saint-Germain captain was asked whether he was affected by depression following the World Cup, to which he replied: “Yes. It was a somewhat difficult period.
“(PSG) president (Nasser Al-Khelaifi) gave me lots of guidance. He told me: ‘You’re the best defender in the world, but you still need to work more’. I told him: ‘President, I always work. But in my head, I don’t know what’s happening, there’s a problem’.”
Silva also spoke about his omission from recent Brazil squads, with the 31-year-old having been overlooked by Dunga since the Selecao’s quarter-final exit to Paraguay at last year’s Copa America.
I don’t know what exactly is going on. I’m telling the truth. Everyone has forgotten that, even if I think I was responsible, that I didn’t actually play against Germany (due to suspension). Everyone thinks it was my fault…it’s not my fault, that.”
He also thanked PSG coach Laurent Blanc for his support during those trying times.
“Every day, a journalist asked him if he was going to continue to play me, because I wasn’t playing as well. He always responded that I was going to carry on, that I was the captain. And that gives you confidence,” said Silva.
Helplines:
- Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
- Console 1800 247 247 – (suicide prevention, self-harm, bereavement)
- Aware 1890 303 302 (depression, anxiety)
- Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie - (suicide, self-harm)
- Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)
- Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)
