Sergiño Dest opens up on the pressures of life in the public eye

USMNT star Sergiño Dest was billed as one of the most talented young fullbacks in world football during his time with Dutch club Ajax.

After just one full season in the first team he was signed by Barcelona, becoming the first American to play in the El Clásico fixture against Real Madrid.

However after a meteoric rise, Dest fell out of favour at Barcelona in 2022 and was sent on loan to Italian side AC Milan. During his year in Milan Dest played just 14 times, not featuring for a single minute from January onwards.

The 22-year-old is now back at Barcelona and pushing to regain his place in Xavi Hernandez’s side. Ahead of the 2023/24 season Dest gave an interview to CBS Sports in which he outlined the mental toll that life as an elite footballer can have on an individual.

“For us when we’re done with our job it feels like we’re not done,” Dest explained. “For example, we we go out people want to take pictures, they want to ask questions about our jobs. With us it continues 24/7.”

“Obviously it comes with the job and we get something in return that is also really nice, but mentally it’s always really difficult,” he said.

Beyond the relentless nature of life in the public eye, Dest said that the pressure of representing your club or country can bring intense pressure.

“You cannot have a mental breakdown,” he said. “It’s almost impossible because you have to stand there for your club, you have to represent people. Sometimes it’s difficult because people don’t know what’s going on. Only thing I can do is laugh about it.”

Dest is part of a generation of young footballers who have grown up with social media and are only too aware of the additional pressures that it can bring.

“Social media has a lot of memes and can be funny, of course, but I feel like you shouldn’t be too focused on social media. If you do that it’s all going to go into your head.”

After slipping down the pecking order at Barcelona the Spanish giants are reportedly willing to let Dest leave the club if a suitable bid is made. But the young American is not willing to leave the top table of European football without a fight.

“I’ve accomplished quite a lot but I’m not satisfied yet. I’m at the biggest club in the world and I just want to create my legacy,” he said.

“I feel like I haven’t done that yet. I have a lot more to prove and show.”