“I Have to Reorient My Life” – Lionel Messi’s Former Teammate Breaks Silence on Mental Health Struggles After Being Admitted in Hospital For 2nd Time in 3 Weeks

Ezequiel Lavezzi was by Lionel Messi‘s side when he played in a World Cup final for the first time during Argentina’s 2014 campaign. Till Messi played his second final and lifted the trophy, Lavezzi had hung his boots. Retired in 2019, Messi’s ex-teammate is now struggling with mental health-related issues and frequent hospital admissions. His son, Tomas Lavezzi had dismissed rumors of his dad’s alleged substance abuse, which were connected to his mental health struggles.

As per L’Equipe, Ezequiel Lavezzi is now admitted to a psychiatry and mental health establishment in Argentina for the 2nd time in 3 weeks. “It’s hard. But I have to do it, I have to reorient my life, my habits. And I have to do all this for my son,” said Lavezzi, breaking his silence. According to the Argentina daily- La Nacion, he is receiving treatment in a facility named Zabala clinic in Buenos Aires. Further details about Lavezzi’s condition are yet to emerge. The 2014 World Cup runner-up’s recent hospitalization comes after he underwent treatment for injuries in his shoulder and abdomen.

The player’s family members said that he contracted the injury after falling off a ladder while changing a light bulb. This episode happened while the player was in Uruguay. Then, the hospital authorities had shifted the injured Lavezzi to Argentina on a plane. Hopefully, his current struggles are just a minor inconvenient episode in his otherwise storied soccer career.

Ezequiel Lavezzi’s storied stint alongside Lionel Messi

Ezequiel Lavezzi made his debut in Argentina colors in 2007. The next year, he and Lionel Messi won the Olympic Gold in Beijing. He scored twice for the Albiceleste. Later, in 2014, Lavezzi was instrumental in Argentina’s run in the FIFA World Cup. He played for Lionel Messi and Co. in every match barring the first one, including the final against Germany. He provided assists to Lionel Messi and Marcos Rojo during the campaign.

After the final loss, Lavezzi would partake in Argentina’s outing at the Copa America. He has not played for the Albiceleste since 2016. The veteran scored 9 times for Argentina in 51 appearances.

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At the club level, the 38-year-old has impressive stays at Serie A’s Napoli and Ligue 1’s PSG. For Napoli, he played 188 matches, scoring 48 goals and assisting 56 times. A stint that is a testimony to his play-making prowess. He donned the PSG colors 161 times and shared the stage with David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The veteran’s retirement life, anyhow, has not turned for the best lately. As has been always the case with soccer stars with off-court issues and injuries, they will surely bounce back!

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