LIONEL MESSI has revealed his wife Antonela was begging him to see a sports psychologist but he refused.
The Barcelona superstar rocked the club last summer when he handed in a transfer request during the most turbulent period of his career.
Lionel Messi says his wife Antonela begged him to see a sports psychologistCredit: https://www.instagram.com/antonelaroccuzzo/
The Argentine legend suffered a turbulent summer as he tried to leave BarcelonaCredit: AFP
And he admitted he should have sought help from a sports psychologist.
Messi said: “I should have gone to the psychologist, but I never went.
“Why? I don’t know. It’s hard for me to take that step, even though I know I need it.
“Antonela [his wife] has insisted a lot of times that I should go, but I’m someone who keeps everything to myself.
“I don’t share things. I know it would do me good, but I haven’t gone.”
Messi’s mood darkened when he tried to invoke a clause in his contract that would have allowed him to walk away from the Nou Camp for free.
With Manchester City lurking and ready to reunite the forward, 33, with Pep Guardiola, a legal row ensued before LaLiga ruled the clause was not valid and he was forced to stay.
Messi’s unhappiness was further triggered when new Barca manager Ronald Koeman sold his close friend Luis Suarez as part of his attempted squad overhaul.
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Marca have now discovered that the woman he could have seen to discuss his feelings was Imma Puig, Barcelona’s psychologist for the last 15 seasons.
She worked closely with Andres Iniesta throughout his difficulties.
Puig said: “Everyone believes that to suffer from depression you have to have a lot of problems.
“But it’s not true, people can feel bad despite having everything that others want.
“Footballers have exactly the same problems as anyone else, but the difference is they work in a shop window.
“Everyone can criticise them, knows what they earn, can comment on their private lives.
Lionel Messi married Antonella Roccuzzo in 2017Credit: Rex Features
The couple have three sonsCredit: Refer to Caption
“Sometimes I wonder what would happen if the lives of politicians or businessmen were as exposed as those of footballers. It’s not easy. They have to live with the envy of the world.”
Messi returned to the Barcelona side to set up the winning goal in 1-0 win over LaLiga’s bottom side Huesca.
Messi, making his 750th appearance for Barcelona and his 500th in LaLiga, lifted the ball to Frenkie de Jong for the Dutchman to coolly finish past the goalkeeper.
That lifted Barcelona up to fifth place but they remain 10 points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid, who also have a game in hand.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
