'I had to wipe my own tears' - Sacked Cardiff City star Nathaniel Mendez-Laing reveals his 'silent battles'
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing's Cardiff City career came to a shocking end on the eve of the season and he has now opened up on his struggles for the first time
But still no word on why Mendez-Laing had instant dismissal from Cardiff City.
Saturday 2nd January 2020
Sacked Cardiff City star Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has opened up for the first time about the "silent battles" he fought last year.
The Bluebirds shocked their fan base on the eve of the 2020/21 season with a bombshell statement to announce that Mendez-Laing had been sacked owing to an alleged serious breach of contract.
There has been largely radio silence from the winger, barring the odd social media post including one which pictured a Cardiff City Christmas present he received, and the true details of his departure still something of a mystery.
Now, Mendez-Laing has opened up in a candid Instagram post which alludes to the struggles he endured in what was a particularly turbulent year for him.
"Be proud of how you handled last year," he wrote.
"I don’t know about you but I fought so many silent battles, I had to humble myself, wipe my own tears and pat myself on the back, I’m sure most of you had to do the same, be proud of you!
"Saying that, in one of my toughest years, I gained my biggest blessing.
"Happy New Year, everyone."
The blessing to which he refers is his baby son, Tao, who was born back in May and is pictured alongside him while on holiday in Dubai late last year.
The former Bluebirds flyer spent much of the back end of 2020 in Dubai and was in fact pictured pictured training with Karin Benzema's fitness coach out there, sparking suggestions he could be preparing for a football comeback in 2021.
Mendez-Laing's one and only statement about the incident was posted on behalf of his representatives FifteenEleven Management shortly after his release was confirmed.
It read: "Following on from [Wednesday's] announcement that I have left Cardiff City FC, I would like to place on record my thanks to the fans for the support they have shown me over the past three years.
"I will be making no further comment at this time."
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