Lina Magull Reveals Battle with Severe Depression: A candid conversation with a German football star
Former German national football team player Lina Magull opens up about overcoming depression.
In the world of football, Lina Magull, an ex-DFB-Star, FC Bayern, and vice-European champion, is a name synonymous with success. But her journey, like many, has been marked by struggles unseen by the public eye. For the first time, Magull opens up about her battle with a "serious depression" in a bold and honest conversation.
Known for her infectious smile and quick wit, Magull highlights the stark contrast between her outward persona and the internal turmoil that often plagued her. In a podcast with her football colleague, Robin Gosens, and moderator Nils Straatmann, she discusses her harrowing experience with a mental health condition that she initially didn’t understand.
"I thought I had become some kind of weird person," she admits. "I saw it as a weakness. I didn't want to admit that I might be mentally ill. That it's depression. And I think that's how it was for the people around me too. Nobody wanted to name it. And yes, I was afraid to name it."
The turning point came when Magull's thoughts became so extreme that she saw no meaning in life anymore. Seeking help in a clinic was a difficult step for her, given her generally cheerful disposition. But eventually, she did, in the summer of 2024. Despite initial fears of being different from the other patients, Magull found solace in her treatment. After two weeks, she made a profound realization: "Yes, I have a depression. A serious depression, and that's okay. And from then on, I really developed very well from day to day."
Magull's journey back to football was just as challenging. With support from Inter Milan and her doctors, she managed to rejoin her team two weeks before the first season game. The season proved to be successful, with Inter Milan becoming vice-champion behind Juventus Turin, securing their first-ever Champions League participation.
Caught up in the Role
Magull's mental strain began much earlier, she reveals, around the time she moved from SC Freiburg to FC Bayern in 2018 and became captain in 2020. Wearing the captain's armband felt like a great honor, but it also ended up suffocating her. "I got so carried away in the role," she admits. "I wanted to please everyone, felt the weight of the women's football hype after the 2022 EM on my shoulders."
The burden affected her performance. Satisfaction became a rare commodity, as she found herself fixating on the negatives rather than the positives. Her playing time decreased, and she spent less time with the DFB team, with which she became vice-European champion in 2022. The combined pressure from football and personal issues led Magull to a breaking point in the 2023/24 season, where football "no longer gave her any pleasure".
With a heavy heart, Magull resigned as captain of FC Bayern and left the club last summer at her own request. But her escape turned out to be an accelerator of her illness. "After a few weeks, I missed Munich terribly," she explains. "The problem was, I thought I had lost everything. Family, friends, I as a player for FC Bayern, the best club in Germany. And I really didn't understand why it had suddenly come back into my head. What I had fled from, that's what I suddenly missed again."
Overwhelmed and Afraid
Sleep problems, constant brooding, and negativity took over Magull's life. "I got sweat attacks, got panic attacks," she recalls. "Yes, and that was the moment when I thought, what's wrong with you? There was no way out. Where I had fled, that's where the thought came: Where do I flee now?"
Eventually, the realization that it couldn't go on like this and the step into clinical treatment followed. From Milan, she traveled back to her home in Dortmund, after a vacation it went to the clinic. What was initially a challenge, she now sees positively. She spent six weeks in the clinic and says today: "I'm really glad I was there."
Source: ntv.de, ara
Coping Strategies for Athletes
When an athlete such as Lina Magull is battling depression, seeking help and implementing coping strategies can make a significant difference. Here are some common strategies:
- Psychological Support: Consult with mental health professionals to address underlying issues. Peer support, such as joining support groups or talking to teammates who have experienced similar struggles, can also be beneficial.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and prioritizing sufficient sleep can improve mood and energy levels.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practicing mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and other relaxation techniques can help manage stress and improve mental clarity.
- Performance Management: Reframing expectations, setting realistic goals, and focusing on personal growth rather than external pressures or outcomes can help build confidence and reduce stress.
- Reducing Stigma: Encouraging open communication about mental health, educating teammates, coaches, and fans, and creating support networks can help reduce stigma and increase understanding and support.
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