Marko Arnautović stood in a Shanghai hotel room with no window, no towels, and meals he described as „nothing,“ confronting the third wave of pandemic quarantine that pushed him toward depression.
The Austrian international, then playing for Shanghai SIPG, described the experience as „horror“ during repeated two-week isolations required upon entry to China between 2019 and 2021, a period marked by frequent testing, blood draws, and swabs that left him isolated from his family and struggling with his mental health.
In a recent appearance on the ServusTV podcast „Servus, WM! We are from Austria,“ Arnautović said he fell into depression during this time, questioning whether the financial rewards of his contract were worth sacrificing his personal well-being and time with his wife and family.
How family contact became his lifeline during isolation
Arnautović emphasized that conversations with his wife and family were what helped him endure the challenging period, noting he never took medication for his depression due to a personal aversion to pills.
He stated clearly that even as he came close to breaking point, he never experienced suicidal thoughts, instead holding onto the belief that difficult periods eventually pass, likening his mindset to waiting for rain to stop and the sun to return.
Why he walked away from Shanghai despite the financial cost
When an offer arrived from Italian club FC Bologna, Arnautović did not hesitate, immediately informing his wife he would return to Europe, saying he could no longer continue living a life that felt like he was throwing it away for money.
His words captured the internal conflict many athletes face: weighing lucrative contracts abroad against emotional toll and family separation, a tension that resurfaced when he later joined Red Star Belgrade and prepared to represent Austria at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
What his recovery reveals about mental resilience in professional sport
Arnautović’s recovery, rooted in personal dialogue rather than clinical intervention, highlights a growing but still under-discussed reality in elite sports: athletes often rely on informal support systems when formal mental health resources are either distrusted or inaccessible.
His experience echoes that of other high-profile players who have spoken publicly about isolation during pandemic-related restrictions, though few have detailed the specific deprivations — like lacking basic amenities such as windows or towels — that compounded psychological strain.
Did Arnautović consider suicide during his depression?
No, Arnautović explicitly stated he did not have suicidal thoughts, though he admitted the period was „really bad“ and that he came close to a breaking point.
What helped him recover from depression?
He credited frequent conversations with his wife and family as the primary factor in his recovery, emphasizing that he never took antidepressants due to a personal fear of medication.
