"Concealed Struggles" - Lina Magull Unveils Her Battle with Depression in Football
Former German national football team player Lina Magull is emerging from a period of depression
Connect with us: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Email | Print | Copy Link
Lina Magull - a beaming, quick-witted ace in German football, the former captain of Champions FC Bayern, and a vice-European champion with the DFB team. But, hidden beneath that irrepressible grin, Lina endured a stint with a tormenting depression - a struggle she has opened up about for the first time.
Always the life of the party, Lina confessed that she faced darker days when her chirpy demeanor faded. The 30-year-old powerhouse candidly discussed her strife in the podcast "How It's Going" with her teammate Robin Gosens and host Nils Straatmann. Magull revealed she was hospitalized for several weeks due to an acute phase of depression, a reality she had kept hidden until now.
Initially unaware of the cause, Lina described her experience, saying, "I just thought I had become some sort of strange person." She ventured into the clinic after her thoughts became so overwhelming that she couldn't find meaning in life. A bubbly persona in stark contrast to her internal turmoil, Lina admitted it was tough to confront her illness." I'm actually such a cheerful person," she shared. After two weeks in the hospital, she conceded, "Yes, I have depression. A severe depression, and that's okay."
Upon recovery and rehabilitation, she made a triumphant return to football. With the support of Inter Milan and her medical team, Magull reintegrated into the squad just two weeks before their first season game. The season turned out to be a smashing success, with Inter claiming the vice-champion title behind Juventus Turin and clinching their entry into the Champions League.
"Try, Try Again"
Magull's downward spiral began much earlier. In 2018, she moved to SC Freiburg from FC Bayern; in 2020, she ascended to captain. An epic milestone for Magull: "I was playing for my favorite club. I loved the team. Everything seemed perfect. And then everything felt restrictive. Because of the captain's armband, I no longer felt as free as the person, as the player I was. I became so engrossed in the role," she admitted.
The pressure of pleasing everyone, the hype surrounding women's football after the 2022 EM, and private troubles left Magull feeling crushed, questioning herself as a player and as a person. After a bitter break-up, she found herself at a point where football no longer brought her joy. "I didn't know what to do with myself," she confessed.
Retiring as captain of FC Bayern and leaving the club in the 2023/24 season, Magull ventured to Milan in search of a fresh start. However, the escape soon turned into an accelerator for her illness. "After a few weeks, I missed Munich terribly. The problem was, I thought I had lost everything," she recounted. "I had fled from what I suddenly missed."
"Can't Shake the Sweats"
A series of sleep problems, excessive brooding, and negativity were outward manifestations of Magull's internal struggles. Panic attacks and sweat attacks were also common, making daily life a challenge. "There was no way out. Where I had fled, that's where the thought came: Where do I flee now?" she explained.
Ultimately, Magull accepted her condition and sought professional help. Traveling to her home in Dortmund from Milan, she spent six weeks in a clinic and, looking back today, says, "I'm really glad I was there."
- FC Bayern Munich
- Inter Milan
- Depression
- Football
- Women's football
Mental Health Resources for Depression
The German Depression Help and Suicide Prevention Foundation offers numerous resources for those struggling with depression, including counseling, support groups, and suicide prevention lines. Remember that help is readily available, and seeking it is a crucial step to healing.
[1][2][3][4][5] References omitted for brevity
- Alongside her mental health journey, Lina Magull encourages the community to explore vocational training opportunities, citing the importance of finding meaningful work in one's health-and-wellness journey.
- During her interviews, Magull discusses the pivotal role of science in understanding and addressing mental health issues, emphasizing the need for more research in women's mental health and depression.
