We’re sure you’ve heard the terrible news by now: Robert Enke, the German National Team goalkeeper and Hannover captain has committed suicide. He was 32.
His wife Teresa spoke at a press conference today, saying that Robert had been suffering from depression for some time and hid it from the public for fear of how it would affect his family and career.
Teresa and Robert’s daughter Lara died of a heart condition in 2006, when she was two. They also have another daughter, Leila.
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Franz Beckenbauer, German footballing legend: “When you hear something like this, all other problems become very small. I feel unending sadness.”
Germany coach, Joachim Loew: “No one feels in the position to simply go about their normal day in this situation. We have lost a friend. That is a moment in which you have to stop, even in football. We are mourning Robert Enke deeply.”
German NT captain, Michael Ballack, who has known Robert since he was 13: “I’m stunned. I don’t know what to say…”
Former teammate Nuno Gomes: “I remember how he was just a young kid when he came here but, from day one, he made a great effort to learn our language and did it very quickly. He was a young kid with a huge desire to reach his goals and learn, a man with a capital M.”
Hamburg captain David Jarolim: “I can hardly breathe. This is a real tragedy: first his daughter and then this.â€
Joan Laporta, president of Barcelona (Enke’s former club: “I knew him personally and he was a very well educated, correct guy. Barcelona is in mourning.”
Jorg Schmadtke, Hannover Director of Sport: “We are deeply affected. Our sympathy goes out to his family. We have lost an exceptional sportsman and person who has left behind a huge void in Hannover and German football.”
So, so sad. Our thoughts are with Robert’s family and teammates during this terrible time.
If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, get help through a support network like The Samaritans. Don’t go through it alone.
((( im also a hannover fan so this is twice as hard… we lost our beloved captain. I heard that we are not gonna give the number 1 shirt to anyone anymore for his honour… and thats the right thing to do 
My thoughts and condolences go out to the loved ones and close friends of Robert Enke. Just reading about what he went through with depression up to the suicide made me feel very sad.
As someone who is suffering from (and trying to cope with) mental illness, I can understand how difficult it is to try and hide it from others and make it seem like you’re okay when you’re clearly not. It’s something that I’ve done in the past and regretted.