S. Umtiti has found a new way to help others off the pitch. The former FC Barcelona player and 2018 FIFA World Cup winner with France has decided to use his experience managing depression to raise awareness among young people about mental health. He has personal understanding of this reality and now speaks about it more naturally.

According to French newspaper L'Équipe, S. Umtiti participated in an awareness activity at the Jean-Philippe Rameau secondary school near Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon. Approximately 30 students, around 13 years old, attended the one-and-a-half-hour session. The former FC Barcelona centre-back answered their questions about emotions and mental health issues that may arise during adolescence.

The event was organized jointly by the non-profit organization Génération 2018 and psychologist Sara Da Silva, as part of an educational initiative. The project is connected to the documentary "Têtes plongeantes," in which S. Umtiti shared his experience with depression during his football career.

"I'm trying to deal with some difficult things"

The former FC Barcelona defender has spoken openly about his emotional struggles before. In an interview with L'Équipe, he acknowledged that choosing to stay silent during his most difficult times had consequences: "I hurt myself by staying silent." These words also reflect the hidden pain that may lie behind sporting success.

During his conversation with the students, the first question S. Umtiti received seemed straightforward: "How are you?" His answer revealed his honesty in facing this period again: "I'm doing well, but I'm trying to deal with some difficult things."

S. Umtiti believes that adolescents must learn to identify their own emotions and actively seek help before difficulties worsen. "The sooner we make them aware of these issues, the better they'll be in the future, because they'll have the tools to feel better," the former defender said, pleased with the students' engagement.

S. Umtiti particularly emphasized the importance of breaking the silence: "This also helps them know they're not alone, and if they want to talk, they shouldn't wait until things get really bad." Notably, during this conversation, the teenagers barely asked him about his football career—they were more interested in personal questions.

"The sooner we make them aware of these issues, the better they'll be in the future, because they'll have the tools to feel better," the former defender said, pleased with the students' participation.

"They should know they're not alone, and if they want to talk, they don't have to wait until things get really bad," he added during the activity. Interestingly, the students showed little interest in asking about his football career.

From the glory of FC Barcelona to discussing depression

S. Umtiti's experience also reveals the difficulties that may lie hidden behind sporting success. He joined FC Barcelona from Olympique Lyonnais in 2016, becoming a key part of the team before winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France in Russia.

However, injuries, particularly issues with his left knee, affected his career trajectory. His playing time gradually decreased, and he went through a difficult period that also impacted his mental health.

Now, having left the pressure of competition behind, he hopes to use his experience to help others facing similar difficulties. "I'm very happy to talk with young people. We give them the opportunity to share their thoughts, and there don't always have to be right or wrong answers," he explained.

Psychologist Sara Da Silva emphasized that adolescence is a critical period for addressing these issues—a time marked by profound physiological and psychological changes. Data from Santé publique France, the French public health agency, further underscores this concern: according to a survey published in 2024, 14% of middle school students are at high risk for depression, and 21% admit to feeling lonely.

At the end of the activity, S. Umtiti was confident that sharing his experience was meaningful. "These exchanges are good for all of us and make me want to continue talking about this topic," he said.

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