At noon on Monday (26/02), the Barcelona officially announced the start of its collaboration with Ricky Rubiowho almost a year ago, had made the decision to stop playing basketball due to mental health issues.
In the context of his presentation by the Catalans, the 33-year-old Spanish guard referred to issues faced all this time, which forced him to temporarily stop basketball, stressing that now everything is in the past and how he is ready to go… step by step!
What Ricky Rubio said in detail:
“I developed chronic stress, it was like depression, something similar to anxiety disorder. The only way to go back is to understand why I got to this point. I had mental health issues. The ball is back in my hands and I hope to enjoy a lot and take care of my people.
I developed mechanics that got me playing at a high level but weren’t sustainable. There is another way. Rome can be reached through many paths.
The player “ate” the man. I didn’t know who I was. It was a difficult time for me. I was scared. You can control your fears and calm them down. Life is full of gray moments. However I have saved myself and now I am comfortable. I feel proud of myself and will give basketball one more chance.
Even when I thought basketball was over for me, I continued to work on myself and hope it helps the “struggling” world. I was in the dark but now I’m out of it. I live day by day. We try to control the “untamed” and you never know when life will send you down another path.
The Spanish federation could have forced me to play in the world cup but they didn’t. They gave me help and space and it’s awesome to be back. I am 100% focused but if at some point this problem comes back I will have to stop. I’m here to contribute as much as possible this season. Should I retire to Barcelona? I will go year after year. Now, all I’m thinking about is the current season.
I want to thank the press and the basketball world for the privacy I have requested. I want to thank my family and friends, it made me feel like I wasn’t alone and it allowed me to move on. And, thanks, too, to my therapist and Clevelands.”
Source: Sport Fm
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