Tottenham player on social media ‘harassment’ – Has had to place restrictions on his accounts

As Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison today held a press conference at the Brazilian national camp, he talked a lot about mental health.

When struggling at Spurs last year, the 26-year-old opened up, telling the media he was looking for some psychological help to get to his best again.

Now as quoted by Globo Esporte, Richarlison discussed the results, highlighting the importance of his choice.

“My speech was very important even for the national team staff. When I arrived here, I saw the psychologist, I’ve never had that here before. It was important. And the affection I received from people, we know how prejudiced people are when they say they’re looking for help, I was prejudiced myself, thank God I’m not anymore,” said Richarlison.

“It saved my life overnight, I was at rock bottom, you know? It’s important for the national team to have a psychologist to help the players. Only we know the pressure we’re under, not just on the pitch, but off it too. I myself suffered more off the pitch. It’s important to have a psychologist close to us.

“My biggest problem at the time wasn’t on the pitch, it was off the pitch, people who were around and ended up letting me down. Thank God it’s over now. I’m living a beautiful moment and I want to build my story again.”

Richarlison also talked about the pressure of playing for the national team, as his social media often gets flooded by criticism. The Tottenham player claims he’s now protecting himself from those situations, and recalled the help from former Brazil manager Tite.

“As you can all see on my social media, only those close to me can comment on my photos. After the World Cup, the harassment got worse. Today, the people who can comment on my photos and send me messages are the ones I want. There’s been a lot of persecution, and it ends up affecting me. You’re a human being, you see things, you see the evil in people’s eyes. It got to the point where even Professor Tite came to see me on the plane and spoke to me.

“Before I went to the World Cup in Qatar, he called me on the plane and said: ‘You don’t have to worry about the criticism, you’re my No.9 and I trust you’. That was fundamental for me to arrive at the World Cup confident, with freedom, I just have to thank Tite, he was the guy who trusted me, even though people came to criticise him. I saw people in every press conference and mixed zone looking for a No.9. Tite gave me total confidence, he believed in me and I believed in him, so much so that I was his No.9 at the World Cup.”

Richarlison has 20 goals and eight assists in 48 matches for Brazil, and with new manager Dorival Junior in charge, he must prove he deserves a place in the Copa América.

Brazil are playing England and Spain in a couple of friendlies in this international break. This week, the Tottenham striker has already claimed he told Spurs teammate James Maddison he won’t take it easy against him.