‘The Game Was a Prison for Me’

The Dutchman Gregory van der Wiel, former Paris Saint-Germain player, revealed a poignant testimony about his psychological struggles during his professional career, stating that he did not feel happiness or pride despite winning 16 titles. He explained that the pressures forced him to wear a “mask” throughout his career to show that he was okay, until he started feeling like just a machine playing without emotion.

Van der Wiel pointed out that fear accompanies most players throughout their careers, whether from coaches, fans, the media, or even themselves. He added that what is called “pressure” in football is like a psychological prison he lived in for 15 years. He admitted that he played conservatively and tensely instead of playing freely and confidently, which prevented him from reaching the best version of himself.

The former player spoke about the regret he feels due to missed opportunities, affirming that the version he could have become never saw the light of day, and that this still haunts him to this day. However, he emphasized that current players still have time to change their course and free themselves from fear.

Van der Wiel concluded his message by emphasizing that internal mental work is the hardest part of a player’s life, but at the same time, it is the only factor capable of bringing about a radical change. He urged players to remove their “masks” and play freely without fear to achieve their full potential.