Cédric Brunner: The price of success - fear in professional football

Cédric Brunner: The price of success - fear in professional football

Cédric Brunner, former player of FC Schalke 04, shared his experience with psychological problems in professional football in an urgent interview with 11 friends. From 2022 to 2024 he wore the jersey of the Gelsenkirchener and had previously climbed into the Bundesliga with Arminia Bielefeld from the 2nd league. In conversation, he addressed his deep fears of games that were so intense that they led to physical reactions such as diarrhea. This is a phenomenon that not only affects him; Brunner notes that many professionals have similar fears that often suffer in silent treasury.

The discussion about mental health in sport is becoming increasingly important, especially in the context of the tragic history of Robert Enke, who committed suicide in 2009. Brunner describes that it is a challenging environment, in the macho and the pressure to appear strongly, are often in the foreground. This means that many athletes do not reveal their problems for fear of being considered weakly, as well as

Brunner is not alone; Other players like Timo Baumgartl and Robin Gosens have also revealed similar problems. Nevertheless, the consolidation of stigmatizations remains a central problem in football. The reforms in the field of sports psychology are lengthy, and concerns about the mental health of the athletes often evaporate in the hectic everyday life of professional sport, such as the article on sports newspaper.com describes.

A look at the situation in professional sport

The care and support of athletes are often not sufficient and often not holistic. A bio-psycho-social approach is rarely followed. Brunner himself feels how identity -creating sport is and what pressure he found for his achievements. Studies show that between 13-20% of competitive athletes develop depression in the course of their career and that up to 34% suffer from anxiety disorders.

The Covid 19 pandemic has further tightened the situation. Athletes reported less motivation and mental difficulties, while only a fraction received professional support. Despite these serious challenges, the stigmatization of mental illnesses in professional sports remains strong. The need for more education and sensitization is therefore of central importance to help the athletes work on their well -being.

Brunner is now playing in the amateur area at FC Wollishofen and in the Icon League and hoping that his openness will encourage others to also talk about their experiences. It is a long way, but changes are necessary to prioritize the mental health of athletes and to maximize them in their performance.

For people who need help, the article also offers information about telephone counseling in Germany. The examination of your own psyche is not a sign of weakness, but a step towards strength and recovery.