
Jan Vertonghen is one of the best players in Belgian football history. His journey is fascinating! You know he played for many popular clubs, having millions of fans, like Ajax and Tottenham. Right now? He is playing with RSC Anderlecht. Such a good transfer decision.
He is also the most capped player for Belgium. According to wikipedia he has 157 appearances for the national team. In addition to all these things, Jan is known for his dedication to the sport - Both on and off the field. However, life can be tough. Our player’s career hasn’t always been easy. He has faced many challenges, especially with his mental health. It's tough sometimes, but that’s just life.!
Struggles with Mental Health
In 2019, Jan Vertonghen suffered a serious injury during a match in the CL semi-finals against Ajax. He hit his head during a collision with two other players, and this injury caused him to have dizziness and headaches not for days but for months. Some of you may still remember this incident. Even after he recovered physically, Jan felt different. He experienced feelings of anxiety and sadness that affected his life and career. He started losing his passion and found it hard to play football or even to go out in public.
Jan’s experiences during this challenging period were intense. Days turned into weeks where he felt weak and overwhelmed. The pressure to perform weighed heavily on him; he worried constantly about his job and how fans perceived him. Comments on social media cut deep, with some fans cruelly declaring, "he's finished" or urging the club to "get him out."
Those hurtful words echoed in his mind, making it difficult for him to cope. As you may have noticed, social media can sometimes ruin lives. Jan tried to hide his emotions, putting on a brave face in front of his supporters. He believed that showing vulnerability would make him appear weak. This fear of acknowledging his mental health struggles kept him trapped in silence, leaving him feeling isolated in his battle.
Finding Comfort in the Jan Vertonghen Foundation
After leaving Tottenham in 2020, Jan started the Jan Vertonghen Foundation. This foundation is very special to him. It helps children in hospitals play and be creative, no matter what illnesses they have. Jan believes that play is very important for children's mental health. When children can play, it helps them feel happier and more relaxed.
Jan has visited many hospitals and seen children who are very sick. He wants to make their time in the hospital better. He remembers how important playing was for him when he was a child. He had a big backyard and played football with his brothers. He enjoyed watching his own children play outside with their friends. But not all children have this opportunity. Jan wants to create more playgrounds for children, especially in hospitals and schools.
Through the foundation, Jan has helped build playgrounds with special equipment. He works with a company called Yalp that creates interactive play equipment. Jan is very proud of this work and wants to expand the foundation to help even more children. He wants to inspire them to play and be creative, just like he was.
The HEADER App
Now, Jan is part of a new project called the HEADER app. This app is all about supporting young football players with their mental health. Also, It offers valuable tips and support to deal with the pressures they face in sports. Many young athletes feel anxious about performing well and fear making mistakes. This app helps them learn how to handle these feelings.
The HEADER app is like a “Mental Digital Coach” that young players can access anytime, anywhere. It is built on real sports psychology, meaning the advice and tips are based on scientific research. The app includes stories and guidance from professionals to motivate users. There is even a digital avatar that talks to users and guides them through different mental health topics.
Jan believes that by sharing his own challenges, he can help young players feel more comfortable with their emotions. Through the HEADER app, he’s helping create a safe space where young athletes can open up, express themselves, and build mental strength.
Jan Vertonghen’s journey is a powerful reminder that it’s okay to ask for help, especially when it comes to mental health. He’s been through challenges that have shaped him into a stronger person, and now, he's determined to help others discover their own strength.
Together with Cédric Vercauteren, Pieter-Jan Criel, and Glenn Van Dael, Jan is using the HEADER app to support young football players. His goal is pretty straightforward but really important: he wants these kids to know they’ve got the support and tools to handle whatever life throws at them, both on the field and beyond.
By opening up about his own story and focusing on initiatives that support children, Jan shows that sports go beyond just winning—they're about looking out for one another and finding strength as a team. He hopes his efforts inspire young athletes to believe in themselves and remember that they’re never alone in their struggles.
Download HEADER app now

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