Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers has shared his experience of dealing with mental health challenges during his time at Eredivisie club Feyenoord Rotterdam.
In 2021, Dessers left KRC Genk for Feyenoord on a loan deal after struggling to secure consistent game time in Belgium, a move that presented both physical and mental hurdles.
Though Dessers had previously played in the Eredivisie with Heracles Almelo and FC Utrecht, his transition to Feyenoord was anything but smooth. The Nigerian faced stiff competition from Bryan Linssen, Feyenoord’s established starter at the time. Additionally, Dessers struggled with the lack of support from the club's fans, who often jeered him during matches.
Struggles at Feyenoord and the role of a Psychologist
This difficult start took a toll on Dessers’ mental well-being, leaving him drained and frustrated. He admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the pressure, a situation that eventually pushed him to seek professional help.
“I have been working with my own psychologist since Feyenoord and I honestly found that a relief.
“That conversation took a huge burden off my shoulders. I don’t think I should have waited much longer. I think I was really close to a kind of burnout at that point,” Dessers told Het Nieuwsblad, as reported by Feyenoordpings.
The results were immediate. “I started scoring then and I never really stopped after that, and my career just kept going up. I think I owe that to that conversation to a large extent. I still talk to him every month,” Dessers added.
After seeking help, Dessers’ form improved drastically. He finished the 2021-22 season with 20 goals and four assists in 41 appearances. His remarkable performances in the UEFA Europa Conference League, where he netted nine goals, helped propel Feyenoord to the final, and he emerged as the competition’s top scorer.
