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The full extent of the Brazilian international's problems became clear earlier this week following an interview with ESPN where he broke down in tears.

The former Everton forward explained how he had been in a state of "depression" after a 2022 World Cup where his country were beaten in the quarter-finals and "wanted to give up".

Postecoglou, speaking ahead of Spurs' Premier League game at home to Luton on Saturday, was full of admiration for Richarlison's readiness to share the details of his condition in a bid to help other people.

"Strip it all back, they're all just human beings," said Postecoglou.

"I haven't spoken to Richy but Richy's really benefited from the support that does exist. Not just for him but for others in the community. Because he's benefitted so directly, he's taken on the responsibility of trying to share that around.

"It always makes more of an impact when it's somebody who is high profile, who's in a position where we think they shouldn't really have any problems or we see it as a sign of weakness when they're looking for help and support. It's a credit to him."

The Australian added: "He could have dealt with this privately obviously, but I think the public aspect of it, it's a brave decision for him, but more importantly it's hopefully a great conduit for others to reach out and seek help when it's required.

"It's a credit to Richy that he's sought help, he's got help, the right help and now he wants others to also benefit from it."

Meanwhile, Postecoglou said Spurs could block any move by World Cup-winner Cristian Romero to represent Argentina at the Olympic football tournament, which runs from July 24-August 10, after the 25-year-old expressed his desire to feature at the Paris Games during the recent international break.

But that would be an issue for north London side Spurs, given they will be duty bound to release Romero for the post-season Copa America and with the 2024/25 Premier League campaign starting on August 17.

"Olympics is a little bit of a different issue because club's aren't obliged to let players go to the Olympics," said Postecoglou.

"From that perspective, we have a little bit more of a say in it than other internationals. Certainly from our behalf as a club, we'll always be looking at making sure there is a balance there.

"He hasn't spoken to me about it, no one has spoken to me about it, but I guess pretty strong advice would be with the Copa America at the same time and hopefully us gearing up for a big season next year, I'd be suggesting rest is a better policy."

The Golden State Warriors claimed a 101-93 victory against the Orlando Magic despite the early ejection of forward Draymond Green.

Green received his fourth ejection of the season just three minutes and 36 seconds into the game after disputing a foul call on Stephen Curry.

It was his second technical foul having earlier argued against a personal call.

Green missed 16 games after he was suspended in December for striking Phoenix Suns player Jusuf Nurkic.

In November, the 34-year-old was given a five-game ban for putting Minnesota Timberwolves centre Rudy Gobert in a headlock.

He was also suspended during last year's play-offs after stamping on Sacramento Kings player Domantas Sabonis.

Despite Green's ejection, Warriors, who sit 10th in the Western Conference, backed up Tuesday's win against the Miami Heat as Andrew Wiggins scored a team-high 23 points while Curry finished with 17 points and 10 assists. Magic's second-straight loss keeps them fifth in the Eastern Conference.

After missing Tuesday's victory against the Milwaukee Bucks with an ankle injury, LeBron James returned for the Los Angeles Lakers as they claimed a 136-124 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, extending their winning streak to five to leave them a game and a half back from eighth-placed Sacramento Kings in the Western.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Kevin Durant scored 30 points and had 13 rebounds as the Phoenix Suns beat the Western table-topping Denver Nuggets 104-97.

The Brooklyn Nets hung on to claim a 122-119 victory at the Washington Wizards, while the Chicago Bulls, ninth in the Eastern, gave their play-off hopes a boost in beating the Indiana Pacers 125-99.

Messi led Argentina to their third world title when they beat France in an epic penalty shootout in the final of the 2022 World Cup. He was awarded the Golden Ball as he amassed a staggering seven goals and three assists during the tournament, scoring in each knockout round -- having never done so in his international career before Qatar -- with his most memorable contribution being his brace in a dramatic final in Lusail.

During a recent interview with the Big Time podcast, Messi said that he probably would no longer be playing for the national side had the result of the 2022 World Cup had gone any differently,

"Winning the World Cup was magical for us, our families, and the whole country, it will stay with us for the rest of our lives. I would probably have left the national team if we didn't win the World Cup, but luckily it happened and we gave Argentina another title," Messi said.

However, soon-to-be 37 Messi, who now plays for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, also mentioned that he will retire from the game "without thinking about age".

Messi also talked about his exit from Barcelona, which he followed up by joining PSG.

"It was difficult to leave for PSG, because I was doing very well at Barcelona and I was thinking of staying there. I wasn't ready to leave, it all happened very quickly, I had to rebuild my life from one day to the next," he said.

"I got to know another league, another club, a new dressing room. It was a change that we weren't looking for and that's why it was difficult at first."

Messi missed Argentina's latest friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica in the United States this month due to a hamstring injury.