By Blessed Antwi,Samuel Obour

Copyright yen

Thomas Partey’s ongoing court cases risk taking a serious toll on his mental health, with fears of isolation, stress, and low self-esteemMental health advocate Isobel Gifty Sekyere warns that Partey could experience PTSD, social stigma, and a decline in confidence both on and off the pitchShe emphasised that strong support from family and teammates will be crucial in helping Partey rebuild trust, self-esteem, and emotional balance

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who now plays for Villarreal, is facing arguably the most challenging moment of his career.

His reputation and legacy are on the line as his name continues to dominate headlines due to ongoing court cases.

Although the legal proceedings are still ongoing, the potential toll on his mental health is equally crucial and deserves much attention.

As a world-class player, Partey’s every move is being looked at and scrutinised by the public. Court trials always attract massive media coverage and attention, and the constant and unfair assumptions about his case can create psychological strain, affecting his way of living.

Thomas Partey’s cases may lead to underperformance

The fear and insecurity of being misrepresented or unfairly judged by both the media and football fans may cause serious anxiety.

Even when he is on the field playing, opposition fans boo him with every touch of the ball he gets, since rumours about his case surfaced. This is despite the legal benchmark of someone being presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

The video below shows Thomas Partey being booed as he was substituted in during Villarreal’s UEFA Champions League clash against Tottenham.

For professional athletes, success is often attributed to their identity and self-worth. The unforeseen future of how the cases might ultimately impact his football career, from contract negotiations to team dynamics and sponsorship deals, which could have a lasting mental effect on him.

This suspense can lead to feelings of stress, hopelessness, and low self-esteem.

Court proceedings can be lengthy and draining, which can also lead to feelings of isolation. The world-class midfielder may find it difficult to trust people around him or to confide in close friends and teammates.

The stigma attached to being on trial in such unpleasant charges may cause withdrawal, leading to loneliness and a decline in mental well-being.

Partey expected to deliver at highest level

Even in the presence of legal battles, Partey is expected to deliver at the highest level for both club and country, and not have either of the two interfering with the outcomes. This imbalance between personal turmoil and professional expectations can boost stress levels.

The pressure to stay focused and perform well on the field while managing personal struggles off it can create burnout.

High-profile athletes such as Partey usually hesitate to seek mental health support due to stigma or fear of being deemed weak.

However, making sure that he has access to professional counselling, trusted support networks, and welcoming spaces to express his emotions can help him go forward.

Thomas Partey’s issue highlights mental health in sports and how human beings, often reduced to athletes, can be greatly affected.

Athletes, regardless of their fame and wealth, are still humans who can go through stress, anxiety, and depression when under immense pressure.

Expert opinion on Partey’s mental health

YEN.com.gh had an interview with mental health advocate Isobel Gifty Sekyere, a professional Ghanaian nurse, who shared her thoughts on Thomas Partey’s tribulations and how they could affect the player’s mental health.

Isobel Gifty Sekyere explained that the psychological toll on Thomas Partey could be significant.

“He is likely to have divided attention on the pitch, resulting in a series of flashbacks of negative comments, hence diminishing his confidence level,” she said.

“A player in this situation is likely to face Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, social stigma, and low self-esteem, which can even change his personality type.”

On the way forward, Isobel Gifty Sekyere stressed the importance of support systems, noting that a shoulder from teammates and family will go a long way to revive his self-esteem, rebuild trust and give him a sense of belonging.

Partey denies charges as trial date set

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Thomas Partey denied six offence charges at Southwark Crown Court, with his trial set for November 2, 2026, due to a court backlog.

The charges involve alleged incidents between 2021 and 2022 with three women. Partey remains on bail under strict conditions while awaiting trial.

During the brief hearing, Partey confirmed his details and entered not guilty pleas.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh