FORMER Inter Milan star Fredy Guarin has revealed how he spiralled out of control and would drink 70 beers in one night at one point in his career.
The Colombian retired in 2021 after a 15-year career that took in stints at Inter as well as Porto and SH Shenua.
He made 141 appearances for Inter, scoring 22, and won 58 caps for his country.
But his alcoholism prevented him from reaching his potential and even cost him his place in the Inter team, leading to his exit in 2016.
Guarin told Caracol Televisión: “I started to make a name for myself in Italy and I was already having problems off the pitch.
“At first I managed it well: I would get drunk two days before the match, then go out on the pitch, score one or two goals and the team would win. I think I lacked awareness.”
“I drank at home, in the club, in the restaurant, I already had my family and that was s*** because I knew I was making mistakes, both at work and with family responsibilities.
“I failed in all objectives, footballing and personal. I was totally lost in alcohol, and they told me through my agent that I could no longer stay in Milan.”
His drinking habits got worse when the Covid pandemic hit during his time at Vasco da Gama, which resulted in Guarin drinking up to 70 beers a night.
The 38-year-old even attempted suicide after reaching the point where he sought danger and did not care about hurting himself.
He continued: “For the first six months I felt like the happiest person in the world, then Covid came, the separation from my wife, and I drank 50, 60 or 70 beers in one night.
“The pandemic came, there was no training, no group, no football. I went to the favelas, [slept] with any girl without protection, I totally abandoned myself. I looked for danger, adrenaline, I wanted to see weapons and nothing worried me. I spent 10 days totally drunk.”
“I lived on the 17th floor and I had no attachment to life. My reaction was to throw myself out of the window. There was a net, I jumped and it sent me back, but I didn’t realize anything.
“I didn’t understand what I was doing, I don’t know what happened. I got to the point where nothing interested me and I didn’t care about hurting myself.”
WHERE TO GET HELP YOU NEED
IF you are ever worried that someone’s life is in immediate danger, call 999 or go directly to the emergency services.
For anyone in crisis, struggling to cope or needing immediate help, use the Shout Crisis text line (text 85258) or The Samaritans (call 116 123) – which are both available 24/7, 365 days a year.
CALM offer a confidential helpline (0800 585858) and livechat, both available from 5pm to midnight.
Visit nhs.uk/mental-health/ to find NHS mental health support near you, and how to self-refer for talking therapies, such as CBT and counselling for mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, panic, OCD and more.Visit the Movember website for more advice on men’s health and recommended support groups, organisations and charities.
Movember Conversations is an online tool that helps you practise difficult conversations with pretend scenarios.
