Firstly, he has succeeded in fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a professional footballer: He has played for clubs such as AGF and Dortmund and today plays for North Jutland’s Vendsyssel FF in the Danish 1st division. It is a tiny needle’s eye that you have to go through in order to succeed – it requires talent, hard work and a very special will.
Second, he has managed to make a career out of his passion, despite having a series of letters as unwanted companions throughout his life. The letters form the three diagnoses ADD, OCD and anxiety, with which Magnus Kaastrup was already diagnosed in the fourth grade.
Many would be knocked out by such a diagnosis as a 10-year-old, but Magnus managed to turn it into a strength. The very next day he worked hard with his eyes fixed on becoming the best football player he could. The hard work culminated in 2017 when he made his Super League debut at the age of 16 years and 198 days, making him the youngest ever debutant for AGF in the Super League.
Magnus Kaastrup switched to Vendsyssel FF this summer. Photo: Lars Pauli
It was in 2019, when Magnus Kaastrup moved to Dortmund in Germany, that at a young age he chose to be open about his diagnoses and the challenges that come with it. And he has spoken openly about it since – most recently on nordjyske.dk on Tuesday – not to get a lot of praise, but to be the role model he himself lacked while growing up.
Although it is not praise that the 23-year-old East Jutland is looking for, he has to live with getting a little.
Because there is a need for role models, such as Magnus Kaastrup, who dare to put into words the challenges and feelings that come with a diagnosis. A role model who at the same time shows that a diagnosis does not have to be a stamp that defines you and an obstacle to fulfilling your dreams and ambitions.
When it is estimated by the Danish Health Authority that around 15 percent of all children and young people under the age of 18 are diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, it should be clear to everyone that more people like Magnus Kaastrup are needed. By sharing his story, he gives hope to those who may feel that their own difficulties are insurmountable.
The fact that he is doing it as a professional footballer at a very young age does not make his openness any less impressive. With more than 200,000 active players under the age of 18 in Denmark and even more following along, it is important to have good role models in football, but it is a closed world that still has a hopeless, old-fashioned view of humanity.
It is still ‘breaking news’ when a male footballer comes out as gay. It is still rare to hear of footballers struggling with mental health challenges – even though attention was seriously focused on the subject when German Robert Enke committed suicide in 2009 at the age of 32 after struggling with depression throughout his career.
On 10 November 2009, at the age of 32, Robert Enke committed suicide. Alexandra Beier/Action Images/Ritzau Scanpix
When a player like Magnus Kaastrup dares to break the taboo and come forward with his diagnoses, he not only shows unusual courage, he also paves the way for other young people who struggle with similar challenges. Let us pay tribute to his openness and hope that others in a similar position will follow Magnus Kaastrup’s example.
This is a leader. It was written by a member of our board of directors and expresses Nordjutske’s position.
2024-10-20 06:08:00
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