Life as an elite footballer isn't always as glamorous as it seems. Behind the wealth and fame, many players face personal struggles, with some choosing to share their experiences to shed light on the human side of the sport. Yann M'Vila is one such player, recently opening up about his battle with depression during his time at Rubin Kazan.

The Emptiness of Money

In an interview for the Rouge et Bleu podcast (produced by Ouest-France and Sweet FM), M'Vila recounted the difficult period he went through while playing in Russia. Despite earning $530,000 a month, financial stability did not equate to happiness. The French midfielder revealed:

"I won't say that money doesn't bring happiness, because it helps and makes things easier. At the time, I was earning $530,000 a month. In two months, I had over a million dollars. But I was sitting in my room having a nervous breakdown. I had this money on my card, but it was useless to me. I had anxiety attacks for one or two months. I couldn't even get on a plane. I did yoga, I took medication."

M'Vila’s words reflect a harsh reality that many elite athletes are beginning to share: wealth and fame do not shield them from mental health struggles. Anxiety and depression can strike even at the highest points of a professional career.

From Glory to Darkness

M'Vila's career started with great promise at Rennes, where he became a rising star in French football and a regular for the national team between 2010 and 2012. However, after moving to Russia’s Rubin Kazan in 2013, both his personal and professional life began to unravel. His time at Rubin Kazan coincided with a mental health crisis, leading him to seek loan spells at Inter Milan and Sunderland in the following seasons, as he looked for a way out of his troubles in Russia.

A New Beginning at Caen

In 2018, M'Vila finally parted ways with Rubin Kazan and sought a fresh start in his career. Now 34 years old, he has found emotional stability at SM Caen, a French second-division team he recently joined.

Interestingly, M'Vila’s move to Caen was spurred by a conversation with Kylian Mbappé and his mother. As M'Vila explains, the phone call came just days before he signed with the club:

"I got a call from Mbappé, with his mother on the line. Kylian knows me well, and I know him well too. His mother will get to know me better soon. He talked to me about the project and what he expected from me. The next day, I met with his mother, and we reached an agreement."

This move has reignited M’Vila’s passion for football and provided him with the emotional stability he had been seeking. Now, he plays in a setting that allows him to enjoy football without the immense pressures that once overwhelmed him.