Yann M’Vila shared his personal experience of depression while playing in Russia, despite significant income which did not bring him satisfaction. When talking about this difficult passage, he underlined the importance of finding pleasure in sport.
During his stay in Kazan, although he earned enough to live comfortably, M’Vila expressed his continued unease. “I’m not going to say that money doesn’t bring happiness because it contributes to it and makes things easier”he declared, emphasizing the psychological impact of this period.
The 34-year-old explained that he felt trapped by his depressed state, despite his efforts to cope. “When it gets you, it gets you. And it doesn’t let go of you anymore.” he confided, illustrating the difficulty of overcoming this ordeal.
In Saint-Étienne, M’Vila rediscovered the pleasure of playing, marking a turning point in his career. In his first match against Metz, although the team lost, he felt a personal rebirth. “That’s when I said to myself, ‘Actually, I can do it,’” he recalled.
This return to a form of serenity allowed M’Vila to free himself from his fears and rediscover his passion for football. The experience at Saint-Étienne played a crucial role in his remission, providing a new lease of life to his career.
Despite the challenges, M’Vila relied on methods such as yoga and medical treatments to manage his anxiety. He described how, even in Saint-Étienne, he had to resort to treatment to calm down and fall asleep.
