Everton Striker Thierno Barry Explains Decision to Share Emotional Training Video

Everton striker Thierno Barry has spoken about his decision to share a video of himself crying during a private training session, a moment he admits he was initially scared to release.

Barry, 23, posted the video on his YouTube channel last month, showing his frustration and subsequent tears during a training session. He explained that he wanted to present a more authentic version of himself to fans and teammates, stating, "Last season I showed a version of me [that wasn't] me and [people] need to learn about me."

The French footballer, who joined Everton from Villarreal for £27 million at age 22, felt it was important to show his vulnerability. "Sometimes it feels good to just lose it," he told BBC Newsbeat. "It's the first time I cried in front of my friends, they always see me as a strong [person]. I'm happy that I can show that moment. They know I care about the club and I care about playing good on the pitch."

Everton's official feed reposted the clip, captioning it "emotional resilience," and Barry received supportive comments from fans. He acknowledged the help he received from those around him, noting that he is hard on himself and his support system encourages him to be more positive. Barry emphasized that any external criticism would not be as severe as his own internal self-judgment.

Adjusting to a new club and country, along with the demands of the Premier League, proved challenging for Barry. He noted the difficulty of adapting to a "new league, a new language." Last season, he appeared in 41 matches and scored eight goals. This season, he has already scored six.

While acknowledging that some may point to missed chances, Barry also highlighted his role in creating opportunities. He understands the pressure of scoring goals, particularly after a prolonged goal drought last season. "Every fan counts on you to score goals, so imagine you didn't score, you know, for three months like me [last season] it's difficult."

Despite recent successes, Barry remains focused, posting on Instagram after scoring against Hull that he was "still learning." He feels more comfortable in his second year with the club, knowing he has more time on the pitch to recover from missed chances. "When I miss that chance, seven minutes later, I have another opportunity to score. That's a real pressure."

Barry has also reintroduced more expressive celebrations on the pitch, including the dab and hip-swinging moves. Looking ahead, the 6ft 5in player stated his primary focus is on his performance for Everton, rather than immediate aspirations for a call-up to the French national team.