I thought about killing myself twice - Zenit defender

Zenit Saint Petersburg centre-back Emanuel Mammana has admitted that he wanted to commit suicide on two occasions in the past following his father's death.

His father passed while he was a River Plate player and before moving to the Russian side in 2016.

"I felt like leaving everything after the death of my old man," Mammana told Ole.

"I had already lost my mother and I thought about leaving football.

"I even thought about the madness of committing suicide and I wanted to do it twice.

"It was very difficult, very difficult.

"It was two or three months that cost me a lot, but despite the pain I was able to recover, and River helped me.

"I realised that at home they had fought so hard for me to succeed and that I couldn't throw everything away because of that sadness.

"I had to fulfil my dad's dream; he wanted me to play in the First Division."

Mammana managed to overcome the difficult situation and started building a career thanks to River Plate.

"I started taking care of myself, even though I have four older brothers," Mammana added.

"I grew up all of a sudden.

"Today, I know that these injuries are hard, but can't be compared with the death of a father or mother.

"At home we didn't have money to go to train or to buy food.

"So, thanks to River I am what I am."