Gregory Van der Wiel, a former right-back who came up through the ranks at Ajax Amsterdam (professional from 2006 to 2012), Paris Saint-Germain (2012-2016), and the Netherlands (46 caps), among others, enjoyed what appears to have been a rather successful professional football career, even if the end was more difficult. However, his entire career was psychologically challenging, as he openly stated on his Instagram account.
Van der Wiel: “I won 16 trophies, and I felt completely alone.”
“Football is a prison. I didn’t enjoy a single moment of my career. I won 16 trophies, and I felt completely alone. I felt like I was experiencing it as a spectator. As if I wasn’t part of it. Because I was wearing a mask. I felt nothing. No joy, no pride, no relief. Nothing.”
Van der Wiel: “You’re not weak, you’re human.”
“I played stiffly when I should have played freely. I held back when I should have exploded. Nobody knew I was drowning. Not my family, not my teammates, not even myself. If you’re in a locker room and you feel the same way, you’re not weak, you’re human.”
This isn’t the first time Van der Wiel has spoken about the difficulties he’s faced, just as other players have spoken out in recent years to shed some light on the subject. Some don’t dare to speak up, particularly because of a sense of shame. The full-back refers to it here as being “weak,” while others have spoken about the fear of “complaining” when the life of a footballer is so glamorous and other professions seem far more difficult.
But financial rewards, victories, and titles don’t negate the challenges. In particular, there’s intense pressure both daily and during matches. As Van der Wiel points out, it’s easy to forget the simple joy of playing. It’s important to see players open up; this should help those struggling to do the same and thus be able to get help. Moreover, this applies to everyone, not just football players. There’s no shame in asking for help.
