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Wales Online
3 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin left crying on bedroom floor at moment he 'hit rock bottom'
Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin left crying on bedroom floor at moment he 'hit rock bottom' Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the crucial goal that kept Everton in the Premier League in 2022, and he has opened up on the emotional toll that season took on him amid regular injury struggles Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin has opened up about his mental health struggles while battling injuries over the years (Image: Getty Images ) Dominic Calvert-Lewin has openly discussed his struggles with injury and the immense pressure he felt at Everton during the club's recent tribulations. The forward even revealed how he found himself in tears on his bedroom floor on his birthday during the final stages of the 2021/22 season, as he yearned to beat his injury struggles and contribute for his club. He bounced back from those challenges to net the goal that ensured Everton's Premier League survival. His diving header in May 2022 clinched a remarkable comeback victory over Crystal Palace in the penultimate match of the campaign and secured the Toffees' future in the top flight. The season had started positively for Calvert-Lewin, with the striker finding the back of the net in the first three league matches and earning a call-up to the England squad. However, this form came with a price as he soldiered on through the discomfort of a broken toe. Reflecting on that period on the High Performance Podcast, he recalled having to withdraw from international duty as he tried to adjust to his injury. And it was then he developed the first of several quadriceps issues that have since plagued him. Despite the difficulties, he played a pivotal role in Everton's fight for Premier League survival, notably assisting Alex Iwobi for a crucial stoppage-time goal against Newcastle United and scoring a vital opener against Brentford. However, it was his dramatic diving header against Crystal Palace that truly turned the tide as Everton secured their place in the league. Article continues below "That feeling, I'll never be able to describe it," he said. "It was the weight of my own pressure, the football club. I am quite an emotional person so I put that responsibility on my shoulders. I thought, 'It's my responsibility to save everybody, save people's jobs.' Calvert-Lewin has finally managed consistent minutes over the past two campaigns after several injury-ravaged seasons (Image: Getty Images ) "So when I scored that goal it was a relief. The biggest relief ever. On my birthday, which would have been four, five weeks before I scored that goal, that was a low point for me. I can't remember why, I think it was built-up emotion, I ended up crying. "I was on my own on my birthday, crying on my bedroom floor for whatever reason, feeling a little bit sorry for myself. I think it was not knowing how to express what I was feeling in that moment, that feeling things were getting away from me, feeling you have all the pressure of the football club on your shoulders, and you just want to go out there and play. "And at that moment I couldn't play because I had picked up another injury and it was overwhelming. But I remember thinking to myself, 'This is a rock bottom moment.' In my mind I was thinking, 'It doesn't get worse than this, you need to pick yourself up and go again.' Content cannot be displayed without consent "So that was a catalyst for me because I felt better after I cried. I let out that emotion, all that pressure I had put on myself, and thought, 'I am going to save Everton Football Club.' I ended up scoring the winning goal." The Sheffield-born star also spoke of opening up about his emotional struggle when that season ended, taking to Instagram to write how talking had saved his life, reports the Liverpool Echo. He told podcast host Jake Humphrey he meant to write that talking had changed his life, and the attention of the media that followed created another layer of pressure for him to deal with. The 28-year-old emphasised the importance of his message and elaborated: "Hindsight is a beautiful thing. What I actually did was almost put more pressure on me, because I put myself in the spotlight for a non-footballing reason... we all have problems and that is what I was trying to portray." Attempting to recreate the moment his header found the back of the net against Palace, he continued: "I've never heard a stadium erupt like that in my life. I remember the ball coming in. I remember heading the ball. I remember feeling like I had lost sight of the ball. Looking back up. And it had just gone past the keeper. It was his goal against Crystal Palace that kept Everton in the top flight three years ago (Image:) "And it was like [tries to replicate the crowd noise], it was like a noise that was almost still. It was that loud it was silent, if that makes sense. Everything just faded out and I remember just wheeling off, running, I don't know what I was doing... it was the most euphoric thing I have ever felt playing football." Article continues below Despite ongoing injury issues hampering Calvert-Lewin's career, he has managed to produce pivotal moments to aid Everton in their fight against relegation in the subsequent two seasons. His penalty at Leicester City proved crucial in the final month of the next season, which concluded with Abdoulaye Doucoure ensuring survival on the last day of that campaign. Last year, his courageous last-minute penalty secured an essential draw at Newcastle. That acted as the stage for a revival in which he netted a decisive goal against Burnley and the second in a 2-0 Merseyside derby victory that virtually eliminated relegation worries. He was absent for a significant portion of this season, scoring just three goals in 26 Premier League outings. And the future now looks uncertain for the nine-year Everton veteran as his contract is due to expire at the end of this month.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin emotionally recalls 'crying on bedroom floor'
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has spoken about the pressure he placed on himself to bring success to Everton, as a series of injuries rendered him almost helpless in a Premier League relegation battle Dominic Calvert-Lewin has recalled shedding tears on his bedroom floor on his birthday, as Everton's struggles in the 2020/21 season got to him while he was hindered by injury. While he bounced back to net the goal that eventually ensured Everton's Premier League survival, the centre-forward opened up about the emotional toil that being sidelined had on him. The season had started positively for Calvert-Lewin, with the striker finding the net in the first three league matches and earning a call-up to the England squad. However, this form came with a price as he soldiered on despite a broken toe. Reflecting on this period on the High Performance Podcast, he remembered having to withdraw from the international squad and, while trying to adjust for his injury, developed the first of several quadriceps issues that have since plagued him. Calvert-Lewin also opened up about his challenging season, marred by injuries and managerial changes, from Rafa Benitez to Frank Lampard's rescue mission. Despite the setbacks, the 28-year-old played a pivotal role in the campaign, notably with his decisive diving header from Demarai Gray's free-kick against Crystal Palace that truly turned the tide for the club and saved them from relegation, igniting ecstatic celebrations at Goodison Park. Reflecting on the overwhelming emotions of that moment, Calvert-Lewin said: "That feeling, I'll never be able to describe it. It was the weight of my own pressure, the football club. "I am quite an emotional person so I put that responsibility on my shoulders. I thought, 'It's my responsibility to save everybody, save people's jobs.' So when I scored that goal it was a relief. The biggest relief ever. "On my birthday, which would have been 4/5 weeks before I scored that goal, that was a low point for me. I can't remember why, I think it was built-up emotion, I ended up crying. I was on my own on my birthday, crying on my bedroom floor for whatever reason, feeling a little bit sorry for myself. "I think it was not knowing how to express what I was feeling in that moment, that feeling things were getting away from me, feeling you have all the pressure of the football club on your shoulders and you just want to go out there and play. "And at that moment I couldn't play because I had picked up another injury and it was overwhelming. But I remember thinking to myself, 'This is a rock bottom moment.' In my mind I was thinking it doesn't get worse than this, you need to pick yourself up and go again. "So that was a catalyst for me because I felt better after I cried. I let out that emotion, all that pressure I had put on myself, and thought I am going to save Everton Football Club. I ended up scoring the winning goal." Calvert-Lewin also shared his emotional journey on social media, telling podcast host Jake Humphrey about the unintended consequences it had. He had meant to write that talking had changed his life, but the message was misinterpreted, leading to increased media scrutiny and additional pressure. The striker emphasised the significance of his message, that people can triumph over their hardships, wrote on his Instagram: "Hindsight is a beautiful thing. What I actually did was almost put more pressure on me because I put myself in the spotlight for a non-footballing reason... we all have problems and that is what I was trying to portray." Recounting the unforgettable moment his header found the net, he added: "I've never heard a stadium erupt like that in my life. I remember the ball coming in. I remember heading the ball. I remember feeling like I had lost sight of the ball. Looking back up. And it had just gone past the keeper. "And it was like [tries to replicate the crowd noise], it was like a noise that was almost still. It was that loud it was silent, if that makes sense. Everything just faded out and I remember just wheeling off, running, I don't know what I was doing... it was the most euphoric thing I have ever felt playing football." Despite ongoing injury woes, Calvert-Lewin has delivered crucial moments to ensure Everton's Premier League survival in recent years, including a pivotal penalty at Leicester City and Abdoulaye Doucoure's last-day heroics to avoid relegation the following season. Last year, his courageous last-minute penalty secured a draw at Newcastle, setting the stage for a revival in which he netted the decisive goal against Burnley and the second in the 2-0 Merseyside derby victory that virtually eliminated relegation worries. However, after sustaining a hamstring injury at Brighton and Hove Albion, he was absent for a significant portion of the latter half of this season under David Moyes – and with his contract due to expire at the end of this month, his future remains uncertain.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Bruno Fernandes' treatment of Man Utd backroom staff says a lot about him
Manchester United would be losing more than just an elite footballer if Bruno Fernandes leaves during the transfer window, following rumours linking him with a mega-money switch to Saudi Arabia There's hardly a Manchester United fan out there who isn't aware of the value Bruno Fernandes adds on the pitch. But while the focus of much of the attention around him concerns his level of performance, many might be unaware of the morals he promotes away from the field. With Ruben Amorim 's side failing to secure a place in Europe for next season, speculation has been rife that Fernandes could head for the exit. Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal have been fervently linked with the player's signature, not to mention they possess the funds to at least tempt United into a sale. But the Portuguese has decided to reject a move to Saudi Arabia, seemingly committing to Old Trafford, although rumours about his future are likely to continue until the transfer window slams shut at the end of the window. Fernandes, who turns 31 in September, is the captain at United but previously attracted criticism for his method of leadership. United icon Roy Keane infamously referred to the current squad as "f***ing imposters" in February and lumped much of the blame at Fernandes' feet for not coaxing more from his team-mates. Former Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw a different side of the player, however. And it wasn't long after Fernandes' arrival at Old Trafford in 2020 that he gave an anecdote revealing the grounded, humble approach of a player that set him apart. "It was off the field as well as in training," said Solskjaer on the High Performance Podcast back in July of that year. "He demands off me. He demands off his team-mates. "The first day he was in the club, he shook everyone's hand. He didn't come in here thinking, 'I'm the big shot.' No, he shook absolutely every staff members' hand." It's testament to a player who had just completed a £67million transfer to one of the biggest clubs in the world. Needless to say many would not and do not behave with such modesty in similar positions. Fernandes' qualities on match days are undeniable, as his award for United's Player of the Season this term will attest. He has also won the Premier League's Player of the Month award on five occasions, just two fewer than record-holder Sergio Aguero, who played in England for a decade compared to Fernandes' five-and-a-half seasons thus far. In the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, great talents have come and gone at United, some with only disappointment to show for their efforts. But signing those with true grit and the kind of intangibles Fernandes often exhibits has proved more rare. One could argue seeing those leadership qualities leave would be even more damaging than losing Fernandes' on-ball ability. Genuine fighters are seemingly few and far between at Old Trafford right now, and the Portugal ace is likely the best example in the current squad. In the event Fernandes does leave this summer, his new club will be gaining a paragon of professionalism, as well as an elite footballer. And as United's transfer history over the past decade and more goes to show, that's something money can't always buy.
North Wales Chronicle
26-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Football was my saviour – Callum Wilson reveals how he dealt with childhood pain
The 31-year-old England international has also said he has received therapy for mental health issues in the past 18 months. Wilson opened up about his past in a candid interview with the High Performance Podcast for Mental Health Awareness week in the hope his story can help others. Wilson, the eldest of six children, grew up in a single-parent household in Coventry. He witnessed domestic violence at home and had spells in foster care, as well as receiving help from food banks. He said he had 'suicidal moments' at the age of 12 or 13. When asked what stopped them, he said: 'Thinking that I had too much to offer in terms of life – (I was) so young at the time and just thinking that this can't be all that life has to offer, basically. There's more out there for me. 'There was a higher power that was kind of calling me and football really was my saviour, I think. It was my escape.' Wilson broke into the professional game with Coventry before going on to establish himself in the Premier League with Bournemouth. He joined Newcastle in 2020. Despite a successful career, Wilson admitted he struggled to cope with some of the setbacks he has experienced and that ultimately led to him seeking therapy last year. He said: 'I think what I've realised is when football is going great, when life is going great, you can block it out. 'I had a period over the past 18 months where I had setback after setback and things just got on top. Basically, it was too much to suppress. Basically, it all rose to my head and I was, like, I need to go seek therapy now. 'I (was) at a point where I (was) starting to go back down the wrong path – little things creeping in, gambling and this and that. I was like, for me, I don't want to become that person, so I need professional help. 'I think it took a bit of bravery, to be honest, to realise that as strong as I feel that my mind is at times, you also can speak. Even just speaking was a great help.' Wilson, who is out of contract this summer, hopes his decision to speak out can encourage others to seek help. He said: 'It's just taking that first step. It's not a weakness. Sometimes you've got to show that bravery and not feel like you've lost just by going to speak to somebody.'
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Newcastle star Callum Wilson opens up the 'suicidal moments' he had during his troubled childhood - and reveals he has 'needed to seek therapy' over the past 18 months
Newcastle star Callum Wilson has admitted that football was his 'saviour' after struggling with mental health issues in his childhood. Wilson, 33, has enjoyed a successful career in English football at the likes of Bournemouth and Newcastle - and has featured nine times for the national side. In a brutally honest interview, the forward has now opened up on how the sport provided an escape as he battled through 'suicidal moments' growing up. Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, Wilson said: 'I was so young. I was just thinking this can't be all that life has to offer. 'There was more out there for me. A higher power was calling me and football really was my saviour. It was my escape. 'My mum didn't drive, so I'd always be picked up by my Sunday league coach. When I would leave my home environment, I was going into a family feel with my peers. 'My coach was fantastic. He had a nice family and they would sometimes get me food on the way home. 'I got that love and care that I probably wasn't getting as much at my house - that was not by choice and no fault of my mum's. The environment was dictating who I was becoming. Football was what helped me get away from it all.' The forward continued by reflecting on how he's battled his mental health challenges have presented themselves later in his career and how he's dealt with them. 'What I've realised is when football and life are going great, you can block it out,' added Wilson. 'I've had a period over the past 18 months where I've had setback after setback, things just got on top and basically it was too much to suppress. It all rose to a head and I was like: 'I need to seek therapy now.' 'I was at a point where I was starting to go back down the wrong path, little things were creeping in like gambling, and I didn't want to become that person so I needed professional help. 'It took a bit of bravery to realise that as strong as I feel my mind is at times, you also can speak. Even just speaking to her [the therapist] was a great help.' Wilson kicked off his football journey with his hometown club, Coventry City where he racked up 55 appearances and scoring 23 goals by 2014. In July 2014, AFC Bournemouth snapped up the 22-year-old for a reported £3 million. He went on to score 20 league goals in the 2014-15 Championship season. The 33-year-old has made 127 appearances for Newcastle and has scored on 49 of those occasions after joining the club from Bournemouth back in 2020. He recently won his first major trophy with the club after sealing the Carabao Cup trophy by beating Liverpool 2-1 in the final. He's also made nine appearances for the national side - after making his debut in 2018 - scoring twice.
