The summer that broke him

In July 2009, Andrés Iniesta was supposed to be celebrating a treble-winning season, but the death of close friend Dani Jarque threw him into a downward emotional spiral.

Agony behind the acclaim

At the peak of his physical powers with Barcelona, Iniesta felt mentally empty. Matches passed in a blur, and his trademark calm, but methodical demeanour on the pitch masked a torment few could imagine he was enduring.

Hidden from the world

While Spain lifted the 2010 World Cup and Iniesta scored the winning goal, his personal torment remained. Even in glory, he described feeling “numb” and “disconnected.”

The toll on his body

Psychological stress began to affect Iniesta's physical health. Frequent muscle injuries between 2009 and 2011 weren't just bad luck—they were connected to an exhausted, anxious nervous system.

Support from loved ones

Iniesta credits his family and then-girlfriend, now wife, Anna Ortiz, for steadying him. Their presence became more vital than any tactical system or coaching advice during that time.

Breaking the silence

In his 2016 autobiography, Iniesta first publicly addressed his depression. Fans and fellow players were shocked to learn that one of football's most composed figures had nearly broken inside.

Changing the conversation

By sharing his story, Iniesta joined a small group of elite athletes helping to destigmatize mental illness. His openness led to a wave of support and greater awareness of the condition in Spanish sport.

The quest for inner peace

Even after moving to Japan to play for Vissel Kobe, Iniesta admitted depression was never fully behind him. He said he had learnt to manage it, not erase it, with therapy and honesty about his feelings.