Former Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards has opened up about his battle with depression following his premature retirement from football, revealing he used alcohol as a coping mechanism.
The two-time Premier League winner, now 37, made the candid admission during CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage when Arsenal legend Thierry Henry asked how he dealt with being forced out of the game at just 31.
A persistent knee injury ultimately ended Richards’ playing days, with the right-back unable to overcome the long-term problem.
“I was definitely depressed. But I didn’t address it,” Richards said. “I was drinking a lot to sort of mask it.”
Richards disclosed that by the end of his career, he was having to drain fluid from his knee every three days just to continue playing.
A close friend named Madge proved instrumental in helping the former defender reassess his priorities during this difficult period.
“He sort of put my life into perspective in terms of, like, are you happy? Have you got your family around you? It’s not all the other stuff that come around,” Richards explained.
Micah Richards got a hug from Thierry Henry after revealing his struggles with alcohol
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The pundit acknowledged that much of his previous lifestyle had been superficial.
“It was just a facade. It was all the bells and whistles that come with being a professional footballer,” he said.
“But it made me look at life differently in terms of there’s more to life than cars and houses. And it’s about relationships and the people around you.”
Football clubs with the most Champions League titles | GETTY
Despite the severity of his mental health struggles, Richards credited his naturally optimistic outlook with helping him navigate the darkest moments.
“I definitely looked at things a little bit differently. But then in the end, I’m a positive person,” he said.
“I like to see the good in people. I always try to uplift people. And that’s just the way I’ve been all my life.”
Richards then acknowledged the depth of his difficulties whilst maintaining his characteristic positivity.
“So as bad as my injury was at the time, and yes, I was depressed, 100 per cent agree with that. But I tried to look at it in a positive [way] instead of a negative,” he stated.
The defender’s injury troubles began early, with his first surgery coming during his teenage years.
Micah Richards retired from football in 2016 after an injury-plagued spell at Aston Villa
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He continued playing through considerable pain before officially retiring in 2019, two years after his last match for Aston Villa.
Henry, who enjoyed a trophy-laden career that included World Cup, Champions League and two Premier League triumphs, responded with a deeply personal tribute to his CBS colleague.
The 48-year-old Frenchman revealed he had endured a decade of severe Achilles pain in both feet during the latter stages of his own playing days, but crucially was able to retire on his own terms.
“I have the utmost respect for you for dealing with that. I don’t know how you dealt with that mentally,” Henry told Richards. “And yet you’re always sitting here, happy, lifting the spirit of everybody and making everyone happy.”
Henry concluded with a powerful declaration of admiration for his fellow pundit.
“I have to say that now you are in my hero bracket. And for a very long time. You are my favourite on this show.”
