So he made his way out of the crisis
“Life-tired phase”: Ex-Bundesliga star about depression
22.09.2025 – 07:32 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Christian Lell talks about his crashes, depression and a missed DFB nomination on TV. The ex-professional also explains why he does not regret his past today.
Ex-Bundesliga star Christian Lell opened openly about his career and great difficulties in his life in a TV appearance. In the football talk from “Bild” on “Welt TV”, the former Bundesliga player spoke openly about his past-without spotting a topic. Lell also asked himself critical questions about his earlier escapades.
“It was a very unconscious behavior in a fear. I tried to look for the hold outside. It smuded up and grumbled in the depression, which led me into a very tired phase,” said Lell. Lell sees the origin in his childhood. As he explained, he grew up in a family home with violence, alcohol and abuse. Football was a safe harbor for him at the time – a way to escape the stressful environment.
The ex-professional describes his way out of the crisis as follows: “From this borderline experience, I found out of fear into love, reflection and acceptance and thus developed back into a new life. I was looking for professional help, worked on me. That was the start-up aid.”
Despite everything, Lell has not regretted his earlier mistakes. He sees her today as part of his personal trip. “You look back on today’s knowledge and awareness,” said Lell. The experience ultimately led him to himself.
Lell also describes on the show that one of his slips even cost him a nomination for the national team. Lell: “Uli Hoeneß said to me that national coach Jürgen Klinsmann would have called him and would invite me to the DFB squad. But then I took care of some scandal and the call was missing.”