Thierno Barry waited three weeks before sharing his emotional training video

Everton striker Thierno Barry sat on a video of himself crying during a private training session for three weeks before deciding to post it. He told BBC Newsbeat he was scared to share the footage, but wanted supporters to see a more authentic version of him.

The video, published on his YouTube channel last month, shows the 23-year-old becoming frustrated with his performance and leaving the session in tears. His team tried to reassure him. In footage recorded the following day, Barry said it had felt positive to let his emotions out.

“I was really scared about posting that,” Barry told Newsbeat. “Last season I showed a version of me [that wasn’t] me and [people] need to learn about me.” He said it was the first time he had cried in front of his friends, who were used to seeing him as strong.

Everton reposted the video with the caption “emotional resilience”. Barry said he appreciated the support from the club and fans, while explaining that people around him help him stay positive because he is hard on himself. “I just need to be sometimes more calm,” he said.

Barry’s openness comes as he adjusts to a major change in his career. Everton signed him from Villarreal for £27m when he was 22, bringing a new club, league and language. He described that transition as “really difficult”, calling the Premier League “the hardest league in the world”.

He made 41 appearances and scored eight goals last season. Barry told Newsbeat he has scored six this season, and after scoring against Hull last weekend wrote on Instagram that he was “still learning”. He said he feels more settled now because he knows he will have time on the pitch.

The striker also spoke about the pressure of missing chances. He said an opportunity can come again minutes later, but when he receives the ball “in my head, it’s like time stops”. Barry defended his overall contribution by saying he creates chances as well as missing them.

Everton are fifth with 10 points from six league games and host Chelsea on Saturday, 17 October. Barry’s explanation offers supporters a clearer view of the pressure he puts on himself as he continues to find his feet at the club.