Thierno Barry says he was scared to share video of himself crying

Everton striker Thierno Barry says he waited three weeks before posting a video of himself crying after a private training session because he was afraid to show that side of himself publicly.

The 23-year-old shared the footage on his YouTube channel last month. It shows him becoming upset about his performance and leaving the session in tears, before his team-mates reassure him. In a later reflection, he says it felt positive to let go. [1]

“I was really scared about posting that,” Barry told BBC Newsbeat. He said he wanted people to see a more genuine version of him after showing a version of himself last season that “wasn’t me”.

Barry said it was the first time he had cried in front of his friends, who had always seen him as a strong person. He said people around him had helped him be more positive, adding that he could be “really hard” on himself.

Everton reposted the clip with the caption “emotional resilience”. Barry said he was grateful for the support from the club and fans, and wanted to show that he was not afraid to be seen crying.

The French forward also spoke about adapting to a new club and country after joining Everton from Villarreal for £27m at the age of 22. He described the transition as difficult, citing the Premier League and learning a new language.

Barry made 41 appearances and scored eight goals last season. He said he had already scored six this season, and that knowing he would have more time on the pitch made it easier to move on after missing a chance. He said he was focused on his work at Everton rather than a possible France call-up.