11 cases of footballers whose relationship with alcohol led them to dangerous paths
Stories about addiction and dependence on athletes have been recorded many times. And in fact to very important personalities of the sport.
So there is alcohol dependence where the problem is big. You see the pressure to succeed, the high profile, the lots of money, the stress of winning a title, and even managing to withdraw from the limelight. So let’s look at 11 cases of footballers whose relationship with alcohol has put them on dangerous paths and some of them did not let them make the career they could possibly have.
George Best
The day he scored against Gordon Banks passing him twice and while the previous day he had consumed two bottles of vodka, was the beginning of the end. The most charismatic footballer to ever play on the Island, the Northern Irishman Best had many moments of addiction, but that of alcohol was the strongest. He gained little in relation to his talent, which some even now consider to be equal to Maradona and Pelé.
Paul Gasgoin
Probably the most charismatic footballer on the Island after George Best. Gaza, as it was called, could never defeat the demon of alcohol. His transfer to Tottenham, the World Cup of 90 and then began the descent. Pictures on the internet of his condition today are really sad.
Paul Merson
With the same name as Gaza, however, he played in the opponent’s hated camp, that of Arsenal. But unlike Gasgoyen, Paul Merson managed to beat his craving for alcohol, but also for drugs and gambling. At the moment he is a match commentator and in fact one of the most beloved and trained for English football.
Tony Adams
We live in Arsenal and its former captain. The one that Zisis Vryzas overcame to score the historic goal of PAOK’s qualification in Haiburi. He admitted his problem in 1996, overcame it, played ball until 2002 and is now coaching in Gabala, Azerbaijan.
Malcolm MacDonald
The former ace of Newcastle and the England national team in the late 80’s revealed his problem with alcohol. He managed to break free and move on with his life. He is now a football commentator and continues his life on healthy paths.
Jimmy Greaves
The Tottenham legend, the man whose record is being chased by Harry Kane to break goals, Jimmy Greaves admitted that he had a problem with alcohol in the 70’s and while still playing football. He managed to beat his addiction and now he is also a commentator and TV presenter.
Paul McGrath
When Sir Alex Ferguson was not yet “Sir” and was having a difficult start to his term at Manchester United, his relationship with McGrath was strained. He was expelled, he continued to Aston Villa, but there the alcohol demon followed him. In his book Back from the Brink he describes how his career ended prematurely due to alcoholism.
Gary Charles
He played for Aston Villa, Derby County, Nottingham Forest, wore the jersey with the three lions on his chest twice, but alcohol defeated him, so much so that he was twice imprisoned for attacks while drunk. In 2006 he admitted his problem in court.
Kenny Sansom
Kancy Sansom, one of the best full-backs in Arsenal history, became involved with alcohol after retiring in 1995. However, he managed to beat his addiction and is now a TV show host.
Garlic
Many in Brazil consider him even higher than Pelé (in the main photo of their article you can see them together). He died of a liver injury after first winning two world cups, in 1858 and 1962.
Socrates
The 11th team closes with another Brazilian, the legendary Socrates . A member of Brazil in the 1982 World Cup, he later played in the Championship and more specifically in Fiorentina. The tall man with the manorial style could never reach the level he could and died of alcoholism at the age of 57.
