Zuhaitz Gurrutxaga reveals OCD struggle at Real Sociedad, says he trained in long sleeves to avoid contagion | OneFootball

Former Real Sociedad defender Zuhaitz Gurrutxaga has opened up on how severe OCD turned top-flight football from a dream into a personal ordeal.

Gurrutxaga, who debuted at 19 against Atlético de Madrid, said, “I fulfilled my dream of playing for Real Sociedad in La Liga, but I did not know that could ruin my life,” speaking on Cuarto Milenio.

“My mind sends me danger messages without a filter. That creates anxiety,” he said, adding, “If it hits you once a day it is a quirk, the problem is when there are 300 or 400 a day.”

His fears bled into training and matches. “I trained in long sleeves to avoid contact,” he admitted. “I hid behind opponents so they would not pass to me,” and he said he even feigned injury to avoid playing.

One of his lowest moments came when Real Sociedad finished league runners-up. As fans invaded the pitch at Anoeta, he fixated on reaching the dressing room without touching anyone, was escorted away by security, then broke down in tears alone.

He credited team-mate Igor Gabilondo for quiet support. “I was a soap junkie, he rationed the gel,” Gurrutxaga said. After retiring, he found catharsis on stage and in Subcampeón, written with Ander Izagirre, linking performance to a need for affection after heart surgery at 20 days old.

Presenter Iker Jiménez hailed the book as a landmark for sport and mental health, saying no elite athlete had been so honest in print.

Source: Diario Vasco