The Real Madrid and England star has called for more openness about mental health in football and revealed why he no longer reads comments about him on social media.
Bellingham spoke of the emotional challenges inherent in top-level football. The Madrid star, who became one of the world's biggest sporting stars at just 22, admitted that beneath a confident exterior he often had to deal with moments of vulnerability and pressure.
As a Laureus ambassador, Bellingham called on athletes to be honest about their mental wellbeing and reject the persistent stigma surrounding discussions of mental health in sport.
“With the development of social media and technology, there are more and more ways to attack someone and make them feel bad, and I think there is still a stigma around discussing mental health “, declared the midfielder, quoted by Marca.
“I know there were times when I felt vulnerable and doubted myself and needed someone to talk to, but instead I tried to maintain this image of being a macho athlete that says, 'I don't need anyone.' In reality, I need it, like everyone else. And you'll feel so much better if you talk about your feelings and emotions.
“As athletes, we feel like we have the world at our feet or in our hands: we can do whatever we want, make a lot of money and never suffer the consequences. But in reality, if we are able to show our vulnerability, it opens a wider dialogue with those who struggle in the shadows. It is the duty of people like me, and of those of us in these positions, to be role models. “I still think athletes are supposed to shut up and take it easy, which is an outdated view. The love an athlete receives is extraordinary. But for every person who loves you, there are others who look down on you because of the team you play for or something you accomplished. This hatred can be very hard on athletes, and I deeply understand those who suffer from mental health issues. Everyone has the right to their opinion on sport, but there should be limits to the hateful things that can be said. I don't really know how to limit this on social media, but I think the support network around athletes is important.
Why the Real Madrid star stopped reading comments on social media
The former Borussia Dortmund player also revealed how he changed his approach to online criticism after realizing the impact it had on his self-confidence as a young player. He explained that constantly reading what others thought, whether positive or negative, began to affect his self-esteem.
When I was a young player at Birmingham, I typed my name into Twitter and read everything that was said. But even though the comments were positive, I quickly thought: why should I let the opinions of people who don't know me validate what I think about myself?
I thought I was a good player before I read it on Twitter, so what's the point of reading what other people were saying? Of course, if I came across negative comments, it would have the opposite effect. So, I asked myself again: why am I putting this on my mental health? »
Balancing authenticity and pressure in the digital age
The Madrid star believes social media can be both a blessing and a curse for modern athletes. While they offer players the opportunity to connect with their fans and share genuine emotions, they also expose them to a constant stream of judgment and negativity.
Some aspects of social media are very valuable to an athlete. “More and more people are interacting with the sport, rather than with press conferences or television interviews,” he added. “Being honest and authentic with fans allows them to understand very clearly how you felt during a match or on a daily basis. This allows you to identify yourself more. However, as I discovered as a young player, there was also a negative aspect that I chose to avoid, and I know many other athletes did the same. There is already enough negativity and pressure in professional sports that I don't have to go to the trouble of seeking it out. Now, when I read negative comments, they no longer affect me, but I still prefer to ignore them. »
