Now playing for Flamengo, Brazilian full-back Danilo opened up about his career in an honest interview with The Guardian, discussing his struggles with mental health and the transformative influence of Pep Guardiola.
Reflecting on his time at Real Madrid, Danilo revealed, “I suffered so much that I had to seek psychological help. There were moments when I felt like I had forgotten how to play football.” The pressure and criticism following his €31 million transfer weighed heavily on him.
However, everything changed when he joined Manchester City. “Guardiola taught me to see football in a new way. He helped me understand time, space, and possession. It was like attending university,” said Danilo, who won two Premier League titles under the Spanish coach.
Danilo also shared his passion for mental health awareness, discussing his initiative Voz Futura, which he launched during the pandemic to tackle negativity and encourage emotional well-being. He believes that football clubs will only begin to prioritize players’ mental health when they recognize the financial impact of neglecting it.
