When Ryan Gravenberch signed for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022, the young Dutchman believed he was stepping into the football paradise he had dreamed of since childhood. Coming from Ajax, one of Europe’s most respected talent factories, he was ready to shine on one of the biggest stages in world football. But behind the glittering lights of the Allianz Arena, a much darker story was unfolding — one that tested him mentally, emotionally, and professionally.
In a rare and brutally honest interview, Gravenberch revealed how his time at Bayern turned from a fairytale into a nightmare. “I was almost going crazy,” he admitted, reflecting on months of sitting on the bench or not even making the matchday squad. Under then-coach Julian Nagelsmann, the midfielder sometimes spent three consecutive games watching from the stands — a crushing blow for a player hungry to prove himself.
The pressure was relentless. “I was lucky my parents moved to Munich with me,” Gravenberch confessed. “If I had been alone, I don’t know what would have happened.” His father, also named Ryan, didn’t mince words: “If we hadn’t been there, I believe he would have fallen into depression.”
Things improved slightly when Thomas Tuchel took over toward the end of the 2022/23 season, granting him more playing time in a handful of games than he had received in months. But the damage had already been done. The Bayern dream had begun to crumble, and the young star knew he needed a way out.
That escape came in the form of a move to Liverpool. Under Arne Slot, Gravenberch flourished, becoming a key figure in the squad and helping the Reds lift the Premier League title in 2024/25. “It was like going from hell to heaven,” his father said, summing up the transformation.
Gravenberch’s story is a stark reminder that even at the pinnacle of professional football, mental health and emotional well-being are just as important as talent. The bright lights of a top club can hide deep struggles — and for this once-disillusioned young star, a change of scenery was the key to rediscovering his love for the game.
Today, at Liverpool, Gravenberch is not just playing football — he’s enjoying it again. And while the scars from his Bayern chapter may never completely fade, they’ve shaped him into a stronger, wiser player who now knows the true cost of chasing a dream.
