Ricky Rubio was 14 years old when he made his ACB debut with Joventut. He was a child genius who was destined to succeed. Last August, after nearly 20 years on basketball’s elite teams and 12 seasons in the NBA, he decided to quit to care for his mental health. He concentrated on the Spanish team before the World Cup. This week, the playmaker, who is 33 years old and after leaving the United States, assured that he is in the final stage of his recovery and will start training with Barça.
Ricky He will use the ball again. And for now, it will do so without competitive pressure. “An athlete returning to the field after experiencing mental health issues needs to address this process.” slowly and without demand” explains sports psychologist Lorena Cos. “When you don’t take into account your commitment to the competition, it will be much easier to manage your time. You should focus on this now Regain the feeling that connects you to your sport and little by little they will give him the confidence he needs,” explains Cos.
“Just because you can train doesn’t mean you can compete.”Xesco Espar, former handball coach of FC Barcelona and high performance expert, says: “You have to train gradually and look for competition in training. When you feel good, you will be able to compete,” he adds. “A way to face new challenges with confidence and security, remembering moments of personal and sporting success. It can help athletes connect with their strengths and thus create a sense of self-efficacy,” says sports psychologist María Cabrera.
Recover your status as an athlete
“My mind went to a dark place,” the El Masnou point guard detailed as he bid farewell to the NBA: “Just like injuries are resolved off the court, Mental health issues are resolved by quitting competing. When you have serious mental health problems you will lose your athlete statusBecause your mind is somewhere else. Returning to training will be very helpful in Ricky’s full recovery,” explains Espar.
It is very important to be clear about your motivation for returning: “The most important thing is to have the desire, to feel good, and to be very clear about the why and wherefore. target that makes you want to return“, says Cabrera. The step from training to competition carries more meaning. “Competition also includes other additional factors such as: adapting to practice and game situations under mental pressure and stress”To add.
“I couldn’t even get on the pitch,” Barça player Álex Abrines said at the time. The forward, who will face Ricky again, suffered a depression that caused him to leave the court while in the NBA. He started to hate basketball. Gymnast Simone Biles was still collecting medals when she decided to stop to relieve her anxiety.. Tennis player Naomi Osaka, swimmer Michael Phelps and former Barcelona football player Andrés Iniesta have had similar experiences.
“It has not been announced before”
Athletes are no longer afraid to admit it. Although mental health issues are not new, the taboo no longer exists. “They have stopped before, but it was not explained why they did so. Fortunately, today the stigma around mental health issues in sports is decreasing. This greater awareness and openness has led to a cultural shift that allows athletes to recognize and address mental health issues without fear,” says Cos.
in spain, One in four people suffer from or may suffer from some form of condition sanity, According to WHO. “Elite athletes are better prepared to withstand pressure, but The mental aggression required for high performance is very strong and there are times when the pressure is so great that they may give up,” Espar says.
“They are athletes, but they are not invincible. competitive pressuresInjuries, changes in personal life, traumatic events, lack of social support and exposure to constant evaluation and criticism can push an athlete into an overextended state, Cos says.
“One day, when the time comes, I would love to share my entire experience. to help,” Ricky explained. The wound still hurts, but it’s starting to heal. And Ricky Rubio will dribble again.