Former German national football player Lina Magull opens up about overcoming her depression
Bravely Unveiling the Struggle | Lina Magull Reveals Her Battle with Severe Depression
Lina Magull, the charismatic midfielder known for her infectious smile and quick wit, is one of the most accomplished German footballers, captaining champion FC Bayern Munich and vice-captaining the European champion DFB team. But there's another side to Magull that's not as publicized: her battle with depression. Speaking candidly for the first time on the podcast "Wie geht's," she shared her harrowing experience with depression, revealing how it nearly cost her everything.
Magull often appeared to be the life of the party, but at times, her enthusiasm was masking a deeper turmoil. In 2024, she confessed, she couldn't comprehend why she was feeling the way she did. "I just thought I was becoming some sort of strange person," she admitted, regarding her battle with this debilitating illness. "And I saw it as a weakness. I didn't dare admit that I may be mentally ill. That it was depression." Unfortunately, she found herself alone in her struggle, as the people around her were equally afraid to confront the issue. "Nobody wanted to name it," she recounted.
Her descent into the abyss of depression was slow, but eventually, it became unbearable. The thoughts consumed her, rendering life without meaning. Realizing she had reached a critical point, she sought help at a clinic. Initially reluctant, believing she didn't belong among the other patients, Magull eventually accepted her diagnosis and began her journey towards recovery. After two weeks, she finally accepted her reality: "Yes, I have depression. A severe depression, and that's okay."
The progress she made was nothing short of miraculous. After her treatment, Magull returned to football, proving that she was truly in the right place. Alongside doctors, she decided to give it another go, reintegrating into the team just two weeks before the first season game. Managing to recover in time, she paved the way for Victory League vice-champions Inter Milan's maiden appearance in the Champions League.
Magull candidly acknowledged that the strain on her psyche had been building up for years. In 2018, she left SC Freiburg to join FC Bayern, and in 2020, she became captain. This sudden surge of responsibility left her feeling burdened. "I wanted to please everyone," she admitted. Feeling the weight of the women's football hype after the 2022 EM on her shoulders, she found it difficult to experience satisfaction on the field. The pressure also took a toll on her performance, causing her playing time to decrease and her spot on the DFB team to become uncertain.
Privately, she was also coping with the end of a significant relationship, compounding her feelings of despair. The accumulation of these factors ultimately led Magull to a breaking point, forcing her to abandon her role as captain of FC Bayern and eventually leave the club in the summer of 2024. To her astonishment, this supposed "escapade" triggered a resurgence of her depression symptoms, leaving her feeling utterly hopeless.
It was at this point that sleep problems, constant rumination, and negative thoughts took over her life. Panic attacks and sweat attacks became commonplace, making basic daily tasks nearly impossible. Fortunately, after accepting her condition and seeking help, she found comfort and solace in the mental health clinic.
A Call for Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or contemplating suicide, help is available.
- The German Depression Help and Suicide Prevention Foundation provides resources for those suffering from depression. To find immediate help, visit their website for a comprehensive list of available resources, including first points of contact.
- In emergencies, such as suicidal thoughts, contact a psychiatric clinic or call the emergency number 112.
- The Social Psychiatric Service offers local support for the mentally ill and their families.
- The Info-Telefon Depression, a free service offered by the Depression Help Foundation, can be reached under the telephone number 0800 - 33 44 533. They are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 13:00 to 17:00, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8:30 to 12:30.
- The Network for Mental Health provides additional support options that can be utilized during challenging times.
- The Federal Association Burnout and Depression e. V. has resources for those affected by depression and their families, including information on self-help groups and other consulting services.
Source: ntv.de, ara
- FC Bayern Munich
- Inter Milan
- Depression
- Football
- Women's Football
- FC Bayern Munich, as a hub of community, can establish a policy to prioritize mental health awareness and offer vocational training programs focused on health-and-wellness and mental health for its athletes, employees, and fans, ensuring a supportive environment for all.
- Lina Magull's courageous journey reveals the importance of science-based vocational training in mental health, as it can empower individuals like her to overcome adversity and foster a healthier, more resilient community.
