Arsenal
Image credit: Getty Images
Former Arsenal forward Lina Hurtig has opened up about the severe mental health struggles she endured during her injury-hit time at the club, revealing that she came close to quitting football altogether.
Speaking from Sweden’s Euro 2025 training camp, the 29-year-old reflected on what she described as the most difficult period of her life. The emotional revelation comes shortly after she signed a three-year deal with Serie A side Fiorentina as a free agent, marking a new chapter following her departure from North London.
Hurtig joined Arsenal from Juventus in August 2022 but struggled with persistent injuries, most notably a recurring back problem that kept her sidelined for extended spells. Despite helping the Gunners win two Women’s League Cups and ending her stint with a UEFA Women’s Champions League title, she featured in only 37 matches and scored seven goals across all competitions.
READ MORE: Manchester City star only wants to join Arsenal this summer
“It was hard, it was the toughest period of my life,” Hurtig told reporters, as quoted byThe Standard. “I would never play football again, it was at that level. I don’t really want to go into the details, but it has been building up over a long time. In the end, it just couldn’t go any further.”
Arsenal Women
Lina Hurtig (Image credit: Getty Images)
Although previously referring to “personal issues,” the Sweden international has now shed light on the mental and emotional burden she carried during her Arsenal career. A training-ground injury just before the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid ruled her out for the rest of the season, a cruel blow in an already difficult year.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
Still, Hurtig signed off her Arsenal career on a high note, lifting the Champions League trophy in Lisbon, a moment she called “the perfect ending” on Instagram. “Champions of Europe with this amazing team… Thank you and goodbye,” she wrote.
Her move to Fiorentina offers a fresh opportunity to reignite her career. Set to join the Viola on July 1, she reunites with Serie A, where she previously enjoyed major success at Juventus, winning two Scudettos, two Italian Super Cups, and a Coppa Italia. With several Swedish players and a Swedish head coach in Pablo Pinones Arce, Fiorentina is viewed as a supportive environment where Hurtig can rebuild her confidence and fitness.
The forward expressed deep gratitude to her Arsenal teammates and staff for their support throughout her struggles. She also pointed to Sweden’s Euro 2025 campaign as a key source of motivation. Selected in Peter Gerhardsson’s squad, Hurtig will bring her experience (71 caps and 22 international goals) into a group featuring Denmark, Germany, and Poland.
NEXT ARTICLE: Arsenal target Liverpool vice-captain on free transfer this summer