Emmanuel Eboue is a cult hero at Arsenal, someone who is adored by many fans but that has counted for nothing for the full back who has fallen on hard times since his divorce has left him in a bad way. Now Eboue has given his most heartfelt interview.
Back in December Emmanuel Eboue's story of how divorce had left him broke and unable to see his kids left everyone feeling for the former Galatasaray player. He spoke of living on a friend's couch and avoiding bailiffs.
The Ivorian also talked about how embarrassed he was to have to go to the pub to watch Arsenal games and feared being spotted by fans and how he'd had suicidal thoughts.
Hopes were raised that Eboue would come out the other side in a better place after Galatasaray offered him a job coaching their youth team along with accomodation at the club's academy.
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However in an interview with Canal + he revealed how difficult it is for him to watch his friends play football and just how lonely life is, saying:
"I do not have anyone with me, I feel abandoned. I was good with my children, my family, and today I find myself alone.
"Football is ungratefult, it not the talent, it's the money, the business, it hurts I do not put the television at home because when I look, I see my friends play, I'm happy for them but deep in me I crying."
In the original interviews the 34 year-old revealed that he hadn't seen his children since June. As well as that and the divorce Eboue has recently lost his grandfather, who raised him, to cancer and his brother died in a car accident too.
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It's been an awful time in the former footballer's life and really shows how quickly things can turn around especially with life outside of the spotlight when people are no longer seeing you week in week out.
Depression, loneliness and the suicidal feelings that Eboue has suffered can hit any of us at any time and we wish him all the best.
'U OK M8?' is an initiative from LADbible in partnership with a range of mental health charities which features a series of films and stories to raise awareness of mental health.
Explore more here and don't suffer in silence. Reach out. It's the brave thing to do.
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MIND: 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans: 116 123.
CALM: Outside London 0808 802 5858, inside London 0800 58 58 58.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Galatasaray, Arsenal, France
