A psychologist for the Brazilian team

The sports psychologist Marisa Santiago has joined the coaching staff of Dorival Junior to work on the mental health of Brazilian national team players.

Marisa Santiago He has a degree in sports psychology from the Federal University of Minas Gerais and built a career as a volleyball player in Minas Tenis, worked in Atlético Mineiro and currently playing on Mr. His specialty is cognitive behavioral therapy and he also works as a university professor.

“The idea of ​​sports psychology has two main lines: one is related to performance on the field and results and the other is mental health,” he said. Marisa Santiago to team media in London. This is his first call to ‘canarinha’, at the express request of Dorival Junior, new coach of the national team since January.

Marisa Santiago stated: “I work on group unity, on leadership, we deal with anxiety, pressure, obsessive thoughts and other problems that players may have. Sports psychology will work exactly on these points to help them give their best.”

“In addition to the performance part, I do not forget to mention mental health, which is very important. I am very happy to be here. This is a big step forward, not only for me, but also for sports psychology, ” said the psychologist.

The acquisition of Marisa Santiago is after players like Richarlisonin front of Tottenhamadmitted in September that he needed psychological help to deal with off-field problems.

“As a player you have a voice that is heard and I ask people to ask for help. We know the prejudices that people have when you say you need psychological help, but thank God, I no longer feel prejudice about that,” he said Richarlison in concentration of Brazil in London.

“I am talking about this because it saved my life. I am at the bottom. Only footballers know the pressure we have to endure, not only on the field, but also off it,” he said. Richarlison.