Former Soccer Star Sebastian Rosenthal Reveals Father's Suicide Tragedy

Sebastian Rosenthal, once known as "the best Jew in the world" during his late 1990s soccer career in Chile, has revealed the profound tragedy of his father's suicide. Rosenthal, who played for clubs like Glasgow Rangers and had brief stints in Israel with Maccabi Petah Tikva and Maccabi Netanya, shared details of his father Lazaros' death in a recent interview in Chile. Lazaros Rosenthal was found dead in his car near a Jewish cemetery in 2016, with the circumstances initially unclear.

Rosenthal described his father as a "very tough man" and noted that soccer had brought them closer, with his father often accompanying him to games. The suddenness of his father's death, without any prior history of depression, was a devastating blow to the family. "It happened from one moment to the next, and it was very difficult for all of us to deal with it," Sebastian recounted.

Motivated by his experience, Rosenthal is speaking out to raise awareness about depression and suicide. He emphasizes the importance of open discussion and understanding, stating, "It's important to talk about it, if you are willing. You don't have to blame anyone." He believes his father's actions were an escape from immense suffering, and he doesn't judge him, acknowledging that it's impossible to know if he could have been helped.

Rosenthal also reflected on his own emotional nature, admitting he cries during movies and at his children's events, but feels no regrets about his actions concerning his family. He spoke about his father's legacy, remembering him fondly for his positive influence and many friendships, traits he believes he inherited. He shared that his father's suffering was too great to bear and that his suicide was not an act of selfishness.

In the same interview, Rosenthal discussed the circumstances surrounding his premature retirement from soccer. His career was cut short when he was unexpectedly dismissed by his club on the day he was supposed to travel to Israel, where his ex-wife was pregnant with their son, Lucas. This abrupt departure, for reasons he never understood, left him with few options and led to his decision to retire from the sport.