Brazil Legend Ronaldo Shares Battle with Severe Depression, Weight Gain Post-Retirement

Brazilian football icon Ronaldo has openly discussed the profound emotional difficulties he encountered after concluding his professional playing career. The legendary forward revealed that he battled severe depression and experienced significant weight gain following his departure from the sport.

Ronaldo, who enjoyed an illustrious 18-year career, officially retired in 2011 at the age of 34. His remarkable legacy includes two FIFA World Cup victories in 1994 and 2002, where he was the top scorer with eight goals in the latter tournament. Despite his immense global triumphs on the field, the abrupt shift to ordinary life created a deep emptiness that profoundly affected his personal well-being.

Speaking on the Futebol Legends Talks podcast, the iconic forward shared his experience, stating, “When you decide to leave the game, it feels like someone close to you has died.” He further elaborated on the challenging period, confessing, “I suffered from severe depression, I gained a lot of weight. It was very difficult to leave football.”

The two-time recipient of the Ballon d'Or award explained that the sudden void left by the absence of competitive football and the loss of his identity as an athlete severely impacted his mental state. “The idea of not playing anymore was devastating,” he admitted.

While navigating this painful transition demanded considerable time and effort, the former superstar eventually discovered new avenues to channel his energy and establish purpose beyond the football pitch. He concluded by adding, “Then you realise there are other things in life that you can do, you can reinvent yourself, but the idea of not competing stayed with me for a long time.”