Iniesta opens up on depression

Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has spoken out about his mental health struggles following the death of his friend in 2009.

The Barcelona legend revealed he felt he could not “take it anymore” after Espanyol captain Dani Jarque suffered a heart attack at the age of 26 during pre-season training.

"You feel that it's not you, that you don't enjoy things, that the people around you are just people," he said on Antena 3 TV. "You have no feelings or passion.

"You end up feeling empty inside and there is a moment that you realise that you cannot take it anymore."

With the World Cup on the horizon, Iniesta decided to seek professional help to deal with his depression.

"I had the ability to see that I needed to see someone to get out of that situation. The important thing is that in that period I never lost the spark."

The Spain international went on to score the winning goal in the 2010 final, removing his jersey to reveal a tribute on his undershirt: "Dani Jarque siempre con nosotros" ("Dani Jarque, always with us").

Mental health is still a taboo subject in the football world, but Iniesta is just one of many stars who have spoken out over the past couple of years.

Last month, Arsenal veteran Per Mertesacker opened up about the emotional toll football has taken on him. “In the moments before a game starts, my stomach turns around as if I had to vomit,” he told Der Spiegel. “Then I have to choke so violently until my eyes water.”

“Some days you realise that everything is a burden, both physically and mentally… but you have to deliver without a doubt, even if you are injured.”