Jason McAteer Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles After Football

Date: Wednesday 05 Mar 2025

"Oh man, it was tough. Just like everything had gone… I don’t half miss it. I miss… I miss everything about playing. I miss it.

In a poignant revelation, ex-Liverpool star Jason McAteer shed tears while recounting his mental health struggles after hanging up his boots. The ex-midfielder, known for his passionate play, confronted the darkness of depression and suicidal thoughts following his retirement in 2007. Transitioning from a life of football to a quieter existence proved a colossal challenge, leaving him feeling adrift in a sea of purposelessness.

During an emotional exchange on the Tales, Tears & Trophies podcast, McAteer shared a harrowing moment when he drove through a tunnel on his way to see his son. Battling with his thoughts, he contemplated crashing his car, trapped in a fight between despair and the love for his child. The stark contrast of light at the end of the tunnel reminded him to hold on, distinguishing between a fleeting thought and the light of hope.

"Yeah, I just miss it. Just like running, just running out, just running out, just free on a footy pitch. No problems…"

As he described the lingering ache for the football pitch, McAteer revealed his yearning for the exhilaration of the game. "I miss everything about playing," he confessed, reflecting on the sweet freedom of running onto the field, free from worries. His poignant story serves as a vital reminder of the importance of mental wellbeing and getting support. There are organisations ready to listen, because you matter, and there is help available for those in need.

The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website

Read more here: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-jason-mcateer-suicide-admission-34789750