"Hiding in the Shadows" German Football Star Lina Magull Unveils Her Secret Struggle with Depression
Former German national team footballer Lina Magull shares her ongoing battle with depression.
Follow Us on Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Print Copy Link In the world of football, Lina Magull, a key player for German champions FC Bayern and the DFB team, one of the most successful female footballers in Germany, has grown accustomed to having a smile on her face and a sharp wit ready. But what few know is that she's battled a deep, hidden enemy—serious depression. For the first time, Magull revealed her story on the podcast "Wie geht's" with her teammate Robin Gosens and moderator Nils Straatmann.
It's hard to imagine Lina Magull, always radiant and quick-witted, feeling anything but okay, but the reality took a darker turn. She joined the league, became captain, and experienced success after success. However, behind the scenes, she struggled with feelings of being trapped, restricted, and overwhelmed.
"At first, I couldn't figure out what was happening to me. I began to feel like some kind of outsider, like there was something wrong with me," Magull explains. "I thought it was a weakness, I didn't want to admit that I might be mentally ill. I didn't want people to know it was depression. I was afraid to tell anyone."
Matters worsened for Magull when she started having suicidal thoughts. Eventually, she sought treatment, but that wasn't easy for her, as she says, "I'm usually such an optimistic person." She eventually found help at a clinic in the summer of 2024 and, after two weeks, came to accept her condition.
"Yes, I have a depression. A serious one, and that's okay," she said. "And after that, I started to recover."
Her recovery was so strong that she returned to football and, with the support of Inter Milan, made a successful comeback to the team two weeks before the first season game. The season turned out to be a phenomenal one, making Inter Milan vice-champions behind Juventus Turin.
"Lost Control"
Magull traced her mental strain to long before her clinic visit in 2024. She moved from SC Freiburg to FC Bayern in 2018, was named captain in 2020, and carried the weight of being a leader in women's football after the 2022 European Championship. The pressure affected her game, and she experienced less satisfaction, seeing only the bad parts. Her playing time dwindled, and she also saw less action in the DFB team, which she helped to become vice-European champion.
Aswell, she grappled with personal problems, including a breakup in her relationship. All these factors caused Magull to lose hope and question her identity as both a player and a person.
Help for Depression For those in need of help with depression, the German Depression and Suicid Prevention Foundation has compiled numerous resources on their website, including emergency contacts and local services. They recommend reaching out to a doctor or psychotherapist if you suspect or are diagnosed with depression. In emergencies, such as suicidal thoughts, contact a psychiatric clinic right away, or call the emergency number 112. The Sozialpsychiatrischer Dienst typically offers local support to the mentally ill and their relatives. The Info-Telefon Depression of the Depressionshilfe can be reached free of charge at 0800 - 33 44 533, and the website of the Netz psychische Gesundheit also offers various support options that can be utilized in times of need.
"Overwhelmed and Unanchored"
Magull's mental state continued to deteriorate until she was left feeling overwhelmed, unanchored, and questionning her worth. Tired of feeling exhausted and worthless, she took a risk and left FC Bayern last summer to join Milan. However, her escape ended up becoming an accelerant for her illness.
"I started having panic attacks, hot flashes, and couldn't think straight," she says. "I began to feel frightened about my future, like I was losing everything, and I didn't understand why it was happening."
Eventually, she came to accept that things couldn't continue this way and decided to receive clinical treatment. She traveled from Milan to her hometown, Dortmund, and spent six weeks in the clinic. What was once a daunting challenge is now a positive experience for Magull, who says, "I'm glad I was there."
Source: ntv.de, ara
- FC Bayern Munich
- Inter Milan
- Depression
- Football
- Women's Football
- Magull's struggle with depression, a condition she fought silently for years, was a far cry from her public image as a radiant and quick-witted football star.
- Despite the numerous resources offered by organizations such as the German Depression and Suicid Prevention Foundation, admitting one's mental struggles and seeking help can be challenging even for optimistic individuals like Magull.
- Magull's recovery from her mental health issues was remarkable, allowing her to return to football and help Inter Milan become vice-champions in a phenomenal season.
- In addition to her struggles with depression, Magull faced personal challenges, including a breakup and doubts about her identity as a player and a person, which all contributed to her feeling overwhelmed and unanchored.
