Arthur Melo reveals how the help of a sports psychologist turned his career around after disappointing Juventus and Liverpool experiences, but warns Fiorentina ‘anything can happen’ for the future.
The midfielder became the poster boy for transfer flops when he was valued at €80.6m in the part-exchange deal bringing Miralem Pjanic to Barcelona in September 2020.
He failed to make an impact at Juve and barely set foot on the field during the loan spell at Liverpool, but finally seems to have flourished at Fiorentina.
“My partner told me that I had to look after my body, but also my mind,” Arthur told UOL in Brazil.
“Between injuries and everything else, I was always tense and negative. Seeing a psychologist really helped me a lot. I would advise anyone who needs it to get help too.”
Fiorentina took Arthur on loan for €2m with an option to buy for a further €20m at the end of the season.
He has started to show what he can do working under Viola coach Vincenzo Italiano, featuring in all 16 Serie A matches.
“This is a team suited to my style of football where I can show the best of myself. I knew it was going to be a decisive season for my career, as I was injured for a year and needed some consistency. It was an important choice and I made the right one. Now I want to play, be in good shape physically and use my qualities on the field.”
However, that does not mean Arthur Melo believes his future also lies at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, as he is keeping an open mind and could even return to Juventus once the loan is over.
“I don’t like to look too far into the future, because anything can happen. I am the living proof of that. I understood that things change very quickly, both good and bad. Football is a flighty sport, every game can transform the whole story.”