«I could disguise the reasons why I quit football, but I’m not going to do it; I’m quitting for mental health reasons.” So forceful, so explicit, Irene Lopez Ruiz He says goodbye to football early, at only 20 years old, and joins the list of athletes who openly recognize themselves hit by a problem that was hidden until recently, almost taboo. The head and its mysterious labyrinth removes from the sport those who have not done so long, in 2018, it was proclaimed junior world champion with the Spanish team, also leaving the Bronze Boot. He signed with Espanyol after their World Cup success and returned to his home, the Madrid CFF, two campaigns ago, to recover his best
shape. Until this week he understood that he can’t take it anymore and leaves him. To take care of yourself.
Not too long ago, mental health was a taboo subject and psychological problems were considered an obvious sign of weakness. They were there, but they were not counted. The footballer suffered them in silence for some time Bojan, and prevented him from being summoned for the 2008 European Championship. Or also Jesus Navas, who was distressed by concentrations.
But, little by little, and thanks to the testimonies of several media stars during the last five years, mental problems begin to be associated with an environment dominated by victory, heroism and excellence, and also to be fought. Thus, for example, the stories of Kevin Love o DeMar DeRozan (both franchise players in the NBA) in ‘The Players’ Tribune’ about her depressions and anxieties, or when Simone Biles made public “the demons” that inhabited her head during the Tokyo 2020 Games. Then she stood up and said enough.
A step like the one Irene has taken. «Today I say goodbye to the sport that has accompanied me all my life, since I can remember. And I share it for those who read me and realize that they are not alone, that in this life you have to prioritize above all else, that from the moment we are born until we die, only you will be with you, and you have to take care of yourself. And today I say goodbye to take care of myself.
Thanks! pic.twitter.com/dhtNkh4LSp
– Irene López Ruiz (@IreneLR10) February 1, 2022
Who helps an athlete when his head starts to play against him? “We have a specific plan called ‘Mens Sana’ in which we make available to our colleagues the possibility of being treated by a group of psychologists to try to take care of the footballer’s mental aspect. It is a service that we put at your disposal and for which we assume all the costs of the therapy”, declares Gina Martinez, the person in charge of AFE health department. According to Martínez, the AFE has already contacted Irene to offer her the services of ‘Mens Sana’, but she does not delve into it: “We entered into more personal data that I cannot reveal to her.”
Lorena Cos, sports psychologist, knows that he has work with athletes: «Mental health does not understand ages or conditions, but rather psychological resources to deal with what is coming, in sport and in life. Because like everyone else, they suffer and you have to learn to manage it. For now, publicly acknowledging his internal conflict, Irene Lopez He has done something very important.”
And he adds: “Giving it visibility is always good and important. I would say that it is the first step in becoming aware of the needs of elite athletes. The next step would be to ask ourselves if all these athletes have professionals within their reach who can accompany them and help them find other options without having to be forced to withdraw. The clubs are not prepared for it, and that is a reality that should be remedied.”
???????? The @SeFutbolFem U-17 receives the National Sports Award.
???? Irene López, representing the Under-17 National Team, has received from the Kings of Spain the award that distinguishes the best national team of 2018.
???? Video @Real home.
ℹ️ https://t.co/z66B1i7I8Ppic.twitter.com/HK9CVJGIWg
— RFEF (@rfef) March 2, 2021
Irene López Ruiz leaves grateful for what she experienced, of all the people who have crossed his path, of his club, but he has decided that the time has come to take care of himself. He does not want to give more details, nor delve into the problems that have forced him to step aside. Only it’s for “mental health.” His coach is also unable to speak. In the club they don’t even answer. The reactions to his sudden withdrawal have come through affectionate responses to his statement on networks. Madrid CFF lost yesterday without her 3-2 against Atlético de Madrid. The promising soccer player who last March, representing the Under-17 National Team, received the award that distinguished the best national team of 2018 from the Kings of Spain, no longer plays. Mental health prevents it.
