“I know I’ll get out and be the same as I was before. I still don’t understand how I got here, honestly.” The confession that Daniel Osvaldo recorded in the early hours of the morning and shared on his Instagram is surprising. Moves. The former soccer player, who was just after being in the media for days due to his separation from journalist Daniela Ballester, open his heart and ask for public help in light of his mental health problems and addiction disease.
The former goalscorer of the Italian national team published a video of almost 10 minutes in which he made a comprehensive explanation of the situation he is going through and what is affecting him. “I want to make this video to clarify some things and make some confessions about my life, about my decisions,” said the former Boca Juniors attacker at the beginning of his story.
Immediately afterwards, Dani opened up and talked about the health problems he is going through which has led him to relapse into various addictions. “I don’t know if it’s a plea for help or if I have to talk about it because I’ve been dealing with very serious depression for a long time. Because of that depression I fell into several addictions, alcohol and drugs. And the truth is that I am in a moment where my life is getting out of hand. And well, I wanted to tell it and share it with you. I am undergoing psychiatric treatment taking medication. I have a very specific illness. Lack of self-esteem, depression. Many times I fall back into my addictions. Out of anger I have fallen into self-destruction and that destroys the people around me as well. “I live practically alone, locked in my house.”
And he continued: “I don’t go out anywhere, I don’t do anything productive with my life and sometimes I don’t even feel like getting out of bed. I don’t even feel like taking a bath sometimes. I want to tell you all this. Because? And I think it’s the only way I can find out. Let people really know what is happening to me. And as I told you before, I have fallen into very ugly addictions that make my depression worse and worse. This has taken me away from people I love very much, who love me, people who I also love and who I love very much. “That makes me not wanting to see my family, not wanting to share things with my kids.”
Osvaldo abandoned professional sports practice in February 2020, when he last appeared with a Banfield shirt before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, halting activity around the world. Before that, he had spent four years without playing after leaving Boca Juniors amid a conflict with coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
The Lanús-born was in the limelight after his recent break-up with former partner Ballester. After the official parting, the former footballer published a message on his social networks to confirm it. “I want to clarify that Daniela and I are no longer together. End of statement,” he wrote on his Instagram stories. Afterward, he deleted his romantic photos with the C5N host and added a new post suggesting that the relationship had ended due to disagreements third parties.
After this situation, Osvaldo apologized to his former partner, which he reiterated several times during the video. “First of all I want to apologize to Daniela because this is happening right now. Because of me he is suffering things that he shouldn’t be suffering, but I want to tell this, not to play the victim at all, but to tell them, so that the people who are interest them. So that they understand that the things I do are not right. The decisions I make in my life, which are not right. My anger is about the world and a lot of people and it’s about me, my illness, my lack of self-esteem, my depression and my bad decisions.”
In addition, Osvaldo made it clear that the mental health problems are affecting his financial situation. “I don’t have a stable job. I spent almost all my savings because since I have no income, the money doesn’t last forever. But that’s the least of it, because I’ve never been interested in money. “I was born poor and I can die poor and I don’t care,” he said.
Before leaving, the forward who scored more than 100 goals in his long career, apologized again to his family and his recent partner and left a message of hope for his future. “Hopefully I can go back to my old self one day. Nothing else”.
Osvaldo, 38, started his career as a professional footballer in Huracán, but quickly moved to Italian football where he wore the shirt of seven clubs, highlighting his time at Inter, Roma and Juventus. Although he was also a figure at Espanyol de Barcelona, he played for Southampton in the Premier League and had a brief spell with Porto in Portugal. Meanwhile, he made more than ten appearances for the Italian team, having been naturalized as a citizen of that country.
In 2015 he made his first appearance for Boca Juniors, marking his return to Argentine football after ten years. A short stay at Xeneize, his beloved club, was interrupted to play in Portugal and then he returned in 2016, although the experience ended in a conflict with the coach. Away from professional sport, Dani deepened his role as a singer during those years and recorded a series of albums with his rock and roll band Barrio Viejo.
Time.news Interview: Exploring Mental Health and Addiction with Dr. Elena Martínez
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Martínez. Daniel Osvaldo’s recent video confession has sparked a lot of conversation about mental health and addiction. Given his public struggles, can you start by providing some context on the link between fame, pressure, and mental health?
Dr. Martínez: Thank you for having me. It’s indeed a very timely and poignant topic. Individuals in the public eye, like Daniel Osvaldo, often experience immense pressure not only to perform but also to maintain a certain image. Fame can isolate them, making it difficult to seek help or show vulnerability. Social media amplifies this, as they may feel compelled to portray a “perfect” life when they are actually struggling.
Editor: In his video, Osvaldo spoke candidly about his depression and relapses into addiction. How common is it for someone with mental health issues to turn to substances as a form of coping?
Dr. Martínez: Unfortunately, it’s quite common. Many people use substances to numb their emotional pain or escape their reality. For someone like Osvaldo, who has dealt with both depression and issues of self-esteem, the temporary relief provided by drugs or alcohol can become an appealing option, despite the long-term consequences which often exacerbate their mental health struggles.
Editor: He also mentioned feeling alone and withdrawn, even avoiding interactions with loved ones. How do you think this sense of isolation affects recovery?
Dr. Martínez: Isolation can be incredibly detrimental to recovery. Connection with others is a fundamental human need. When individuals isolate themselves, they miss out on the support systems that could help them through their darkest times. It’s vital for people struggling with mental health issues to maintain healthy relationships, as shared experiences and conversations can foster healing and understanding.
Editor: Osvaldo publicly apologized to his ex-partner and reflected on how his condition has impacted not just himself but those around him. How important is self-awareness in the journey toward recovery?
Dr. Martínez: Self-awareness is a critical first step in the recovery process. Acknowledging one’s struggles, as Osvaldo did, allows for personal accountability and can motivate individuals to seek help. Understanding how their behavior impacts others can also trigger a desire for change. This is often the most challenging part, but recognizing the need for help can lead to healthier dialogues about recovery.
Editor: The conversation around mental health has garnered more visibility in recent years. Do you think public figures like Osvaldo can play a role in reducing stigma?
Dr. Martínez: Absolutely. When public figures share their struggles, they can humanize mental health issues and encourage others to speak out. It’s essential for society to understand that mental health is just as critical as physical health. By sharing his journey, Osvaldo provides a platform for others to feel less alone and more understood, which can be incredibly healing.
Editor: What advice would you give to someone who, like Osvaldo, may be struggling but feels hesitant to reach out for help?
Dr. Martínez: First and foremost, I would encourage them to take that first step, no matter how daunting it may seem. Reaching out to a trusted friend or a professional can be life-changing. It’s important to remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Additionally, practicing self-compassion during tough times can lead to more openness in discussing their feelings and struggles.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Martínez, for this insightful discussion. Osvaldo’s openness not only highlights the severity of mental health issues but also serves as a reminder that seeking help is a courageous and necessary step toward healing.
Dr. Martínez: Thank you for bringing attention to this important topic. We need more conversations like this to help break down barriers around mental health and foster a supportive community for those who are struggling.