“It’s not what I want anymore and that’s why I’m quitting now.” Dutch footballer Davy Pröpper ended his professional career prematurely at the age of 30. An injury or a heart defect at the origin of this decision? No, the Dutch international and player of PSV Eindhoven justifies this choice by a lack of motivation and isolation due to the pandemic.
Mental health issues are increasingly addressed by high-level athletes such as tenniswoman Naomi Osaka or gymnast Simone Biles, but this kind of testimony is still rare in team sports, and in particular in the world of football.
Pröpper, 30, who scored three goals in 19 appearances for the ‘Oranjes’ shirt between 2015 and 2019, has been released from his contract with the club in the south of the Netherlands, which was to last until mid- 2023, said the PSV. “I find it exceptionally difficult to maintain the discipline necessary for peak performance and to have my life completely dominated by a hectic football schedule.”
“The corona period and the lack of visits from family and friends didn’t do me any good either,” added the midfielder, referring to his previous contract in England, where he played for the Brighton team. Trained at Vitesse Arnhem, he made his Dutch league debut in 2010.
The midfielder returned to PSV in June, in the hope that playing at his former club “brings back the joy of playing football”. “Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out to be that easy, in part because I don’t feel comfortable in the culture of football,” he said.