MICHAEL KEANE has revealed how he broke down crying in front of his family after hitting rock bottom with form and fitness.
The Everton and England star locked himself away in embarrassment at his poor performances on the pitch.
Michael Keane has opened up on his experiences of seeing a sports psychologistCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But opening up about his struggles to those closest to him helped turn things around — and now Keane is working with mental health charities to encourage others to seek help.
The 27-year-old told the BBC: “I didn’t want to go out, didn’t want to see anyone. I felt embarrassed with how things were going on the pitch so I didn’t want to be seen anywhere, didn’t want to do anything.
“I was keeping it in for a long time, working hard, turning things around on the football pitch but in the end it sort of got on top of me. I ended up not having a full breakdown but I was in tears telling my family how I felt.
I started speaking to a sports psychologist which I still do now regularly to just keep on top of it.
Michael Keane
“That was a big breakthrough moment where I sort of got to my ‘rock bottom’.
“From there on I’ve got better and better with the help of my family and my friends.
“I started speaking to a sports psychologist which I still do now regularly to just keep on top of it.”
Keane’s problems began soon after joining Everton for £30million from Burnley in July 2017.
He picked up a foot injury in a League Cup game with Sunderland that required eight stitches, but played on in the game and for weeks afterwards.
Pain-killing injections allowed him to do so by combating an infection which eventually worsened and led to time in hospital.
Keane claimed the main thing he learnt from that difficult time was how to manage psychologically and is now working with mental health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).
Keane has ten England capsCredit: AFP or licensors
Keane, who has ten England caps, is enjoying being back in training and cannot wait to return to play — but sympathises with fellow pros worried about resuming.
The ex-Manchester United youth star added: “I understand everyone’s concerns.
“I think everyone is in different circumstances, so if players don’t feel comfortable going into training then I think you just have to accept that.”
England new cap Michael Keane receives his first Three Lions shirt from Glenn Hoddle
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
