Overview
- In an interview on Spain’s El Chiringuito aired January 30, the Argentine goalkeeper disclosed a yearslong struggle with depression early in his career.
- Batalla described withdrawing from family and teammates, losing motivation to train, and battling insomnia during his lowest period.
- He said that at around age 20 he relied on two glasses of wine to fall asleep and occasionally turned to sleep aids, which worsened his day-to-day functioning.
- He linked his decline to unmet expectations at River Plate, public criticism, and a difficult stint in Chile that left him feeling he had hit bottom.
- The keeper credited ongoing psychotherapy, structured training, and close support for his recovery, and he urged others to seek help, saying, “No se sale solo.”