Tomas Soucek has opened up about a deeply personal battle with insomnia, depression and fear, revealing how the struggles almost forced him to walk away from football.
The West Ham midfielder, who captains the Czech Republic, has shared details of the two-year period in his autobiography, SUK, describing how he regularly played matches without sleeping the night before.
Despite establishing himself as a Premier League regular and becoming one of the most respected figures in Czech football, Soucek was privately dealing with a situation that even his parents did not fully understand.
Tomas Soucek reveals extent of insomnia battle
Soucek's struggles began during a period when his football career appeared to be thriving.
The midfielder was playing in the Premier League with West Ham and captaining his country, having established himself as a key figure for both club and international sides.
However, the pressure of maintaining his performances and fear of losing what he had achieved began to take a significant toll.
In his autobiography, the 31-year-old revealed that he spent two years regularly going into matches without having slept.
"For two years I would go to play without sleeping a wink, sweating with rage for not being able to fall asleep," Soucek explained.
The nights before matches became particularly difficult, with the midfielder describing how he would take showers during the early hours and spend hours watching television while struggling to get any rest.
Rather than being able to switch off before important fixtures, the pressure to sleep became another source of anxiety.
The Czech international also admitted that the situation became so difficult that he considered bringing his playing career to an end.
"I thought about ending my career. I was tormented by insomnia, depression, and fear of the future," he revealed.
West Ham midfielder sought professional help
The extent of Soucek's struggles was largely hidden from those around him, with the midfielder continuing to perform at the highest level despite his private difficulties.
His physical presence, leadership and reputation as a dependable performer gave little indication of what he was experiencing away from the pitch.
However, the West Ham star eventually sought professional help and consulted specialists as he attempted to overcome the problems.
He has since found the support needed to move beyond that period, choosing to speak publicly about his experiences through his autobiography.
Soucek explained that sharing his story was important because he hopes it can help others who may be experiencing similar difficulties.
His revelations also highlight the pressures that can exist behind the scenes in elite football, where the expectation to perform can often conceal personal struggles.
Tomas Soucek prepares for Czech Republic return against Spain
Soucek's revelations come as he prepares to represent the Czech Republic against Spain at Prague's Letná Stadium.
The midfielder has been an important figure for his country since making his international debut in 2016, recording 93 caps and 17 goals.
He missed the previous meeting with Spain in Oviedo because of an ankle injury but is now set to return to the national-team picture.
The fixture also carries personal significance, with Soucek facing a stadium associated with Sparta Prague, Slavia Prague's rivals, having developed through Slavia's academy.
While his performances on the pitch have established him as one of Czech football's leading figures, his autobiography offers a very different insight into the challenges he has faced away from the game.
Having overcome a period in which insomnia and depression threatened his career, Soucek is now using his experiences to encourage greater openness around mental health in professional sport.
