Depression, retail work: Jérémy Mathieu opens up about painful life after football

Jérémy Mathieu, European club champion with FC Barcelona, has revealed he fell into depression after his career ended abruptly in 2020, caused by a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while playing for Sporting CP.

With no preparation for this forced retirement, the former international defender from Haute-Saône felt the psychological impact acutely. “Life after football is very hard, especially when it ends like this with a torn ACL,” he told Ici. “Steve Mandanda put it very well: a little depression naturally arrives.”

Settled in Bouches-du-Rhône, Mathieu sought a change of scenery by accepting a sales position at Intersport in Plan-de-Campagne — a striking turn for someone who had recently shared Europe’s biggest dressing rooms. He also maintained a link with football by playing at amateur level for Luynes.

Today, his career transition is taking a more structured direction. Mathieu is preparing his Football Coach Diploma (BEF) and is gaining his first experience at AS Aix-en-Provence coaching young players. “I think I can bring more to young players than to adults. Given my career, I have many details to pass on to them and experience to share,” he explains.

Far from trading on his former status, the ex-international has chosen to approach this new role with humility, starting by observing before intervening. “I have a lot to learn. Learning to manage the emotions and reactions of young players, but also managing a group,” he acknowledges.