John Terry Reveals Suicidal Thoughts After 2008 Champions League Final Penalty Miss

Former Chelsea legend John Terry has opened up about the difficult moments he experienced after missing a crucial penalty in the 2008 Champions League final against Manchester United, revealing he had suicidal thoughts during that period.

Speaking on the "Mennie Talks" podcast, Terry stated: "After the game, we all went back to the hotel, and I was on the 25th floor. I was looking out the window, asking myself, 'Why? Just why?' I'm not saying if I had the opportunity, I would have jumped, but things go through your mind at that precise moment."

He continued: "Then my teammates came up and took me downstairs. Those are the moments where you ask yourself, 'What if?' where you don't know what might happen. To this day, it still plays on my mind. It has certainly lessened in intensity over the years, but when I was playing, I would put it in a separate part of my mind and push it back."

Terry added: "Now that I'm retired, and without the weekly focus on playing and the accompanying excitement, it still affects me deeply. I still wake up in the middle of the night and say, 'Oh, that actually happened.' I don't think it will ever go away."

He concluded: "When I missed the penalty in Moscow, you quickly discover who your friends are and who truly cares about you and supports you. These are moments that make you realize that true friends in the world of football are few, but real friends stand out in difficult times."