Rasmus Kristensen has admitted that he was struggling with stress and depression during his time at Leeds United.
The full back is currently at Midtjylland, who he joined in the summer after a year at Eintracht Frankfurt. The move marked a return to the Danish club, who he started his career with, progressing through the youth ranks before moving to Ajax in 2018.
From there he joined Salzburg, where he stayed for three years before a €13m move to Leeds United in 2019.
He would only remain at Leeds for a year, though, before heading on loan to Roma. He departed having used a specific relegation loan clause in his deal to do so.
The following season, he found himself on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt. He eventually joined the German side permanently for €6m last summer.
What happened at Leeds United
Ultimately, his time at Leeds United could be considered nothing more than a failure. 30 appearances in total and a relegation in 2023 was certainly not the record he would have envisioned when he made the move.
Now he admits that his entire time at Elland Road saw him suffering from stress and depression constantly.
“I struggled with stress and depression,” he told Ajax Life.
“By the end of that season, I was completely broken. I used to define myself solely as a footballer.
“Whether I was walking through the city or sitting in a restaurant, I’d be obsessing over training sessions or the next match. When you live like that, you end up mentally exhausted.”
Loans added pressure
The loan deal offered little reprieve from those feelings. In fact, Roma proved to be an even more difficult place for him.
“Rome was beautiful, but I couldn’t find any joy there as a footballer,” he added.
“I felt pressure everywhere I played. In Italy, football is a religion, even more so than in Leeds or Amsterdam.”
Things improved in Frankfurt, but only because of the birth of his son.
“Before, if I’d had a bad training session, I’d think: ‘F[redacted] football.’ Now, when I get home, it’s easier to put things into perspective. As a father, I’m able to enjoy the game more.”
Now, the defender is back at his old club, and he admits that after the struggles at Leeds, Roma and Frankfurt, he couldn’t resist the call of taking his family back home.
“My wife and I really appreciate having our family and friends close by again,” he concluded.
