The recent suicide in football of the Germany goalkeeper, Robert Enke due to depression has raised more questions about the mental state of sporting professionals across the world.

There is very little sympathy for the modern day sportsman. As a spectator, we just pay our money and leave, without a thought of how our sporting stars are feeling and dealing with their lives. For instance, when they’re out on the pitch, we just see them as players in a team and not supposedly normal people like us.

Why would we care? They have the cash and bling that they carry. But what if they have a long term problem?

One former footballer that springs to mind recovering from Alcoholism is the former Republic of Ireland defender, Paul McGrath. A top player back in his day, McGrath’s life off the pitch included a series of broken relationships, suicide attempts and a dependence on Alcohol. Speaking to the Independent back in 2007, McGrath said that the drinking would control his life day in, day out.

“I think even a few people close to me were shocked. I was sick, which is not a great excuse, but it's the only one I've got. I'd get depressed, and then heap alcohol on top, which is a depressant itself. And I ended up doing some of the most ridiculous things imaginable considering that I have [six] children.

However McGrath’s problems only surfaced long after his football career had ended. Back in 1994, a tearful Paul Merson admitted to a cocaine and alcoholic addiction at a press conference. Thankfully, the Football Association took note and booked the then England footballer to undergo a three month rehabilitation programme but others have not been so lucky within receiving general acceptance.

Recently, the former Wales and Lions Rugby captain, Gareth Thomas broke one of the major taboos that surround sport by revealing he was gay. Talking to the BBC, Thomas said “It is the toughest, most macho of male sports, and with that comes an image. In many ways, it is barbaric, and I could never have come out without first establishing myself and earning respect as a player. He added "Rugby was my passion, my whole life, and I wasn't prepared to risk losing everything I loved."

In a nutshell, sporting stars are human beings but we all take it for granted as journalists or fans. They are just people that go and pick up a wage, and are expected to do their job on the pitch or arena. Will our perceptions ever change? How can it when the gulf in wealth has been taken to whole new measures? Danny Cipriani and Gavin Henson for instance in the world of Rugby have taken the relatively new professional game to high celebrity standards similar to the Premiership in football. Why should we care how they are feeling? The case in football of Ashley Cole is strikingly similar. Rejecting in astonishment, a grand total of £50,000 a week at Arsenal, did certainly not endear him to the public, in any way. Why? There is simply no relation.

Written By Dan Birch