Former Inter midfielder Fredy Guarin revealed how he had fallen into alcoholism throughout his enjoying days, to the diploma that he ‘drank 70 beers in a single night time’ and ‘jumped off a balcony.’
The Colombia worldwide is now 38 years outdated and introduced his retirement in the summertime of 2021.
His time in Serie A was at Inter from 2012 to 2016, the place he performed 141 aggressive video games, scoring 22 targets and offering 38 assists.
It was right now enjoying for the Nerazzurri that Guarin began falling into the entice of habit, which
“I began getting a reputation for myself in Italy and that’s additionally the place a distinct difficulty began off the pitch,” mentioned Guarin.
“Initially, I handled it fairly effectively, as I’d get drunk two days earlier than a recreation, then play, rating one or two targets, the staff would win. I feel it began from a lack of knowledge.
“I’d drink at dwelling, in nightclubs, on the restaurant. I already had a household and that was so unhealthy, as a result of I knew full effectively that what I used to be doing was mistaken. I failed in each goal, soccer and private, as a result of I felt like I had no limits.
“I used to be so swept up in alcohol that they informed me by way of my agent that I may now not keep in Milan. The membership warned I needed to be taken away from there, proper now.”
Guarin requested to depart Inter in 2012
Guarin had been on the verge of then moved to Shanghai Shenhua in January 2016.
Nevertheless, with that transfer, then a return to South America for Vasco da Gama and Millionarios, the state of affairs off the sphere didn’t get any higher.
“From the primary day I arrived in China, I grew to become an actual alcoholic. I’d stand up to coach, then straight after that go to drink. I’d relaxation somewhat, prepare, then drink. Every single day was like that. I began to get higher in Brazil, I felt just like the happiest man on the planet for six months, however then the pandemic hit.”
With no coaching or matches to play, Guarin discovered himself sliding ever deeper into an alcoholic stupor and it nearly killed him.
“I’d drink 50, 60, 70 beers in a single night time. I completely misplaced management, would hand around in the Favelas, I used to be searching for out hazard and adrenaline. I had a run of 10 days in a row being utterly drunk, I awoke with a beer at my facet.
“I lived within the seventeenth flooring of an condo constructing and I used to be so indifferent from actuality that I jumped off a balcony. Happily, there was a internet beneath and it bounced me again, however I didn’t even realise it. I had no concept what I used to be doing.
“I realised then that if I acquired drunk once more, I’d die. I hope that my testimony can attain many corners of the world, contact many hearts and avoid wasting lives.”
Guarin’s profession began in Colombia with Atletico Huila, transferring on via Boca Juniors, Envigado, Saint-Etienne and FC Porto till the switch to Inter in January 2012.
Earlier than him, Inter had been coping with one other participant who lapsed into alcoholism and self-destruction,