WORLD CUP winner Bixente Lizarazu has lifted the lid on his battle with bigorexia, admitting: “I am a sick man”.
The former France star won a host of trophies with Bayern Munich, and also played for Bordeaux, Athletic Bilbao and Marseille.
Left-back Lizarazu helped Les Bleus win the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, playing in both finals.
But the 54-year-old has now opened up on suffering a rare mental illness that compels people to exercise too much.
Also known as muscle dysmorphia, bigorexia makes sufferers think their bodies are too small and weak.
They also only eat foods they believe will boost their muscles.
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The condition can lead to depression, thoughts of suicide and steroid misuse if left untreated.
Lizarazu has been heavily involved in surfing, jiu-jitsu, cycling and other sports since quitting football 18 years ago.
The 95-cap international told French media: “I am sick. I am 54-years-old now, but I still have to feel like a professional athlete even now.
“Physical exercise is my passion and it does me good.
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“It has been my compass throughout my life and has helped me find my balance.
“But I have bigorexia. It’s fair to say I exercise to excess.
“Anyone with the condition who stops training from one day to the next risks falling into depression.
“I need to work hard, wear myself out and release the entire mass of energy I have within myself.
“But this sickness is preferable to other forms of addiction. I just have to know how to manage it.”
Lizarazu has been with his current partner, actress Claire Keim, since 2006.
He added: “She met me while I was still a footballer, so luckily she accepts my addiction to sport.
“Even though it it healthy, it takes up a lot of time.”
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Lizarazu won the Champions League and six Bundesliga titles with Bayern.
He also helped Bordeaux climb from France’s second division to become Intertoto Cup winners and UEFA Cup finalists.
Help for mental health
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
