Being famous, and also being on social media, can have as many challenging aspects as easy ones. Often you're the subject of insults from fellow social media users, who feel empowered on the device that they hide behind. Hector Bellerin is the latest to denounce this type of behavior.
The Arsenal fullback spoke to the Times on this side of sports, as well as the new season under manager Emery. "If you act in a way different than how people expect you to, you become a target and this is dangerous. For a little while, I had deleted my apps, but then I returned to social media and every day I learn how to live with this kind of abuse."
"In life," Bellerin continued, "you should feel free to express yourself. However, some insults are truly very bothersome -- the majority happen online, but it also happens in the stadium. Some people have called me a lesbian because of how I have long hair. But there are also homophobic insults. By now I am used to them, but they can make you feel bad and doubt yourself at the same time."
Luckily, in a sense, Bellerin has an escape in the pitch. He spoke on this season with the Gunners: "Now it's all new, even the staff. I am sorry for those who had left, and I thank them. The differences between Emery and Wenger? The last one wanted us to always play in the same way, regardless of our opponent, thinking that we could beat anyone anyway. Emery, on the other hand, looks for a new strategy to beat each opponent."
