Spinning in Silence: Football Star Lina Magull Reveals Her Battle with Depression
Former German national team midfielder Lina Magull, once a DFB standout, speaks about her battle with depression.
Once a star player for FC Bayern and the German national team, Lina Magull is now opening up about the opponent she's fought off the pitch - severe depression. In a heart-wrenching podcast conversation with her football colleague Robin Gosens and moderator Nils Straatmann, Magull reveals her harrowing journey to recovery.
Always a beacon of optimism on the field, Magull shares the inner turmoil that plagued her. "I was just trying to be this happy-go-lucky person all the time," she confesses. "I didn't want to show anyone what was really going on."
Her struggles began to escalate in 2024, when thoughts of hopelessness and self-doubt consumed her, leaving her unable to see any meaning in life. It took a stay in the hospital to recognize the depth of her illness, but even then, she hesitated to acknowledge it. "I didn't want to admit it was depression," she admits. "I thought it was a sign of weakness."
Fortunately, Magull found the strength to accept her diagnosis and embrace treatment. With the support of Inter Milan and her medical team, she returned to the game just two weeks before the start of the season. To her surprise and relief, she found herself right back where she belonged. "This is the place for me," she says.
"Too Much Pressure, Too Much Role"
Magull's mental health struggles had been building for years, she admits. Moving from SC Freiburg to FC Bayern in 2018 and becoming captain in 2020 were both major milestones, but they also increased the pressure on her to excel. "I wanted to make everyone happy, to meet everyone's expectations," she explains. "I remember thinking, what would happen if I disappointed anyone?"
The strain of constantly performing and pleasing others eventually took its toll on her game, eroding her self-confidence and leading to a spiral of negative thoughts. Her reduced playing time and decreased role in the national team only added to her sense of displacement.
A Bumpy Recovery
Fleeing to Milan seemed like the solution to Magull's problems, but it only deepened her isolation and despair. "I missed Munich so much," she realizes now. "I felt like I'd lost everything." The incredible success of Inter Milan in the 2024/25 season was a cruel reminder of what she had given up.
Eventually, the weight of her depression became unbearable, and Magull sought the help she had long avoided. Back in her home city of Dortmund, she spent six weeks in a clinic, emerging with a newfound understanding of her condition and a renewed commitment to her health.
Fighting the Stigma
Magull's decision to speak out is a powerful step in challenging the stigma surrounding mental health issues in sports. She hopes that her story will encourage other athletes to seek help and show that it's possible to recover and thrive despite the challenges.
If you, or someone you know, are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, there are resources available to help:
- German Depression Help and Suicide Prevention Foundation
- Federal Association for Burnout and Depression e.V.
- Network for Mental Health
- In emergency situations, call 112 or seek immediate help at your local psychiatric clinic.
Community policy could be implemented to ensure mental health resources are readily available to athletes, such as professional football players like Lina Magull, who may be struggling with mental health issues like depression.
In her pursuit of recovery, Magull could benefit from vocational training programs focused on health-and-wellness and mental health, which could help her transition into a career that aligns with her personal experiences and passion for mental health advocacy after her retirement from professional football.
