Former Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax Toby Alderweireld has announced his retirement from international football with Belgium.
The 34-year-old revealed that he suffered from panic attacks, which led to his decision to step away from the national team.
The trigger for these attacks was a stressful match against Union SG, where Alderweireld experienced a racing heartbeat and fear of a heart attack.
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“After the cup match loss against the Union, I was angry and frustrated. I couldn’t sleep at night and I went to the club early the next morning to do a weight training session,” Alderweireld explained.
“Before leaving, I took another caffeine pill because I don’t like coffee. In the car, my heart suddenly started beating a thousand an hour.”
“I thought: I’m having a heart attack. It’s over for me, I’ll never see my children again. I stopped, went into a furniture store and asked if they could call 100.”
Alderweireld’s decision to prioritize his mental health is commendable. It’s important to recognize that athletes are human beings who can experience mental health issues just like anyone else.
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