Lucas Covolan has had a turbulent career, starting as a promising prospect in the Brazilian soccer scene to experiencing struggles with mental health. His standout performance for Maidstone in their 2-1 FA Cup fourth round win against Ipswich Town marked a high point in his career. This achievement made history as the first sixth-tier English football team to reach the FA Cup fifth round since 1978.
Following his impressive display, Covolan earned a move to Port Vale. However, he faced mental health challenges during this time, acknowledging that he felt immense pressure to be perfect and fell into a state of depression. This affected his performance on the field, leading to disciplinary issues and loss of form.
Receiving support from the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), the club, psychiatrists, and psychologists, Covolan underwent a significant transformation. He now utilizes breathing and counting techniques to manage his mental health and expresses gratitude for the support of his family and teammates. Despite the difficulties he faced, he maintains optimism about his future in soccer, aiming for a move to the Championship and appreciating the accomplishment of reaching the FA Cup last 16.
