Richarlison to seek psychological help on return to England
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Brazil's Richarlison has scored four goals in 40 games for Tottenham, attributing his poor display to issues off the pitch.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur’s misfiring forward Richarlison said he will seek psychological help on his return to England after shedding tears when he was substituted during Brazil’s 5-1 thrashing of Bolivia last Friday.
The 26-year-old Brazilian was photographed crying on the bench after being taken off 71 minutes into his team’s 2026 World Cup qualifier in Belem.
Having scored only four goals in 40 games for the Premier League side, he told Brazilian newspaper O Globo that he had been through a “turbulent time off the pitch” over the last five months but the storm had passed.
“Now things are right at home. People who only had an eye on my money have walked away from me,” he explained.
“Now things will start to flow and I’m sure I’ll have a good run at Tottenham and make things happen again.
“I’m going to return to England and seek psychological help, from a psychologist, to work on my mind. That’s it, to come back stronger.”
Spurs, under new manager Ange Postecoglou, are second in the Premier League.
In August, the Australian backed Richarlison, who joined from Everton in 2022 for a reported £60 million (S$101 million), to find the net regularly despite his recent struggles in front of goal.
The mental health issues of footballers have been well documented in recent times.
In a separate incident, England’s Harry Maguire said he can deal with hostile treatment from opposition supporters after the defender was mocked by Scotland fans following his own goal on Tuesday.
The Manchester United centre-back was brought on at half-time in Glasgow with England leading 2-0, before inadvertently handing the hosts a lifeline by clumsily prodding a low cross into his own net in the 67th minute.
Maguire described his treatment by Scottish fans – who cheered his every pass – as “a little bit of banter”.
“It pretty much takes the pressure away from my teammates and puts it all on myself,” he said after England’s 3-1 win.
“I am happy to go with that, don’t worry about that.
“We knew it would be hostile against the Scots... I wouldn’t say I’m used to it but I can deal with it. I would not say I’m a person who struggles with pressure mentally.”
Maguire, who was stripped of the United captaincy in July after struggling for first-team football due to his poor performances, was linked with a move to West Ham United in the close season, but it failed to materialise.
“The first four weeks (of the season) were hard... the manager didn’t select me, but we have lots of games coming up now and I am sure I will play lots of games,” he insisted. REUTERS
