The former forward of the Argentine National Team shared how he went through the years after hanging up his boots, talked about his treatment, and highlighted the support of his family and friends
Away from the fields since 2019, Ezequiel "Pocho" Lavezzi is going through a very different stage than the one that marked much of his life. After a career that took him through San Lorenzo, Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain, and the Argentine National Team, the former forward shared how he faced the emptiness that leaving professional activity produced and spoke openly about the depression he suffered.
In an interview with the program Fenomeni, Lavezzi revealed that he needed medical treatment and hospitalization to cope with that period. "I had depression problems, I was hospitalized in a clinic, I am taking medication and undergoing treatment. Little by little I am recovering", he explained.
Lavezzi had depression issues after his retirement
The former footballer also described what it meant to abandon a routine that had accompanied him for decades. "When I stopped playing, there was an emptiness and there was nothing to fill it", he confessed. In that process, family played a fundamental role, especially after the birth of his second son, Vittorio, in 2024. "The arrival of my son changed my life, it brings me a lot of joy and makes me feel alive, it gave me the strength to move forward", he valued.
Maradona and Messi, two special people in his life
During the interview, Pocho also reviewed some of the relationships he built throughout his career. One of the names he recalled was Diego Armando Maradona, who was his coach in the Argentine National Team. About the star, he stated: "Diego was a special man. At night he would come to the room to talk to the players, with him we could talk about everything".
The relationship with Lionel Messi also holds a special place in his life. They both shared different moments wearing the Argentine jersey and, over the years, built a friendship that Lavezzi still maintains. Referring to the national team's captain, he affirmed: "I have a special friendship with him, we talk about many things, he is a fantastic person".
Lavezzi has "a special friendship" with Messi
In that same vein, the former forward highlighted the support he received from the football community during his most challenging moments and mentioned other former teammates and friends: "The football world was very close to me, many supported me, like Messi, Agüero, Paolo Cannavaro".
His time at Napoli
Lavezzi also took the opportunity to discuss important decisions in his career. In 2007, after establishing himself with San Lorenzo and having the possibility of joining Juventus, he chose Napoli. The explanation was directly linked to the enormous figure of Maradona and what the Italian club represented. "To follow in Maradona's footsteps. The impact with Napoli was crazy, I didn't expect so many people or such warmth", he recalled.
In Italy, Lavezzi did not want to play for any club other than Napoli
His departure from the Neapolitan team was not easy either. After five seasons, the forward decided to continue his career at PSG, despite having an offer from Inter. About that moment, Lavezzi acknowledged: "Leaving Napoli was very difficult, I miss it a lot today. They welcomed me as if I were their son, like one of their own".
Finally, he explained why he decided not to continue his career at another Italian team and opted to move to France: "I chose a foreign club because I didn't want to betray the people or go to another Italian team".
