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- Latrell Mitchell has revealed all in a telling interview
- The NRL superstar has copped his fair share of criticism
- Mitchell said he came close to retiring from footy
Latrell Mitchell has opened up on his true personality with the footy superstar revealing why he remains so guarded.
Mitchell, 27, is undoubtedly the most talked about player in the NRL, with his State of Origin return on Wednesday widely discussed given his rocky 2024 campaign with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
But the Bunnies star responded to those critics in emphatic style, helping the Blues demolish Queensland at the MCG to take the series to a decider in Brisbane.
Mitchell’s public perception has also been the subject of conversation. He was widely criticised for wading into the racism storm at the start of the NRL season involving Spencer Leniu and Ezra Mam.
But the 27-year-old is a conscientious and caring figure, evidenced by his dash to attend a junior footy clinic in Taree, country NSW, in the early hours of Thursday morning, not long after the final whistle was blown in Melbourne.
In an interview with Channel 9, Mitchell has discussed the toll that the constant drama and criticism has taken on him.
‘I just feel like a lot of people hate me and they don’t know me,’ he said on the Sunday Footy Show.
‘A lot of people hate me to make me the villain all the time so I tend to shut the doors on who I am as a person.
Latrell Mitchell has opened up in a telling interview with the Sunday Footy Show
The NRL superstar has faced his fair share of criticism from fans and pundits
‘That’s how I am at the moment because that’s how I’ve been s*** on. In my past times, but I’ve learnt a lot from those situations being young. And being taken advantage of.
‘The way I act on the field is a bit of frustration from off the field. Acting out, it’s not the way to play footy. It’s not the game I love.
‘These short bursts of anger. That’s not me. That’s what just builds up over time or over the week or a month or a year of people just constantly at me.’
Addressing criticism from pundits in the media, Mitchell issued a six-word message.
‘If media just shut up and let me play,’ he said. ‘Honestly, if you shut up and let me play there’d be nothing controversial.’
Mitchell confirmed reports he was considering a shock early retirement, admitting he was tempted to return home to Taree.
Mitchell provided a six-word message to his haters as he confirmed he considered retiring
‘I didn’t want to go through another year of you know of heart ache,’ he said.
‘But you cut back the layers and you can see the people who have made sacrifices for you and you want to make them proud.
‘All I’ve ever done was stuck up for my people. Stuck up for my culture and stuck up for my family,’ he said.
‘I honestly think back if I’d have just shut my mouth and get on with my job like everyone says I have to do now, I’d be the best player in the world.’
