Former Real Madrid player Cicinho has admitted to suffering from alcoholism during his playing days.
The Brazilian represented Los Blancos in 2006/07, and he's no spoken about the problems he endured.
"I started drinking at about 13 or 14 when I went to Botafogo de Ribeiro Prato," Cicinho revealed in a column in newspaper Estado de Sao Paolo.
"They told me that the beer was good so I drank.
"It all started with that first drink and I didn't stop until I was 30.
"I spent almost 20 years drinking more or less 10 beers a day."
The Brazilian explained that, at first, he "only drank beer" because he "had no money", but then as his funds grew he "started drinking everything".
Smoking followed, and between 1999 and 2010 he also smoked heavily.
"I smoked for 11 years," he continued. "I only smoked when I drank, but look how much I drank... it was all day."
But Cicinho only identified that things were going wrong when the joy of playing football started to fade.
"I was always in love with football," the former player wrote.
"When God gives you a gift but you don't know how to manage it, it's because something is wrong.
"I had no pleasure in going onto the pitch anymore, in training either.
"I was 30 years old and I was playing for Roma when I realised."
He kept playing though before announcing his retirement from football in March 2018, at 39, due to regular knee problems.
Now sober, Cicinho credits meeting his wife as being what got him on the path to rehabilitation.
"She encouraged me to get back to my principles," he wrote.
"Which were oriented to the word of God.
"That's how my transformation came.
"I haven't had problems with alcohol or cigarettes for eight years.
"I don't betray my wife and I live by the principles that God asks of me."
hioiknors
0
no big deal I'm 18 and I'm already doing heroine, cocaine , mdma ,percocet,lsd,shrooms smoking weed all day drinking
Seriously
PaschLil
0
Only God can make impossible possible
Darkins
1
Thank God for you...Γ‘m glad for your turn around.
Catalonianking91
0
πππππit's for the pain you would never know , I may be wrong but im sick of this life I just wanna end it ...
You should talk to someone itβs not worth it taking your life
jitaksyz
5
Your past doesn't matter anymore, its what you are now that's of concern. Glad your wife has helped you to rediscover yourself. please don't go back to your vomits. The Lord will continue to uphold and strengthen you.
lilbo
0
Are you proud of yourself
πππππit's for the pain you would never know , I may be wrong but im sick of this life I just wanna end it ...
Catalonianking91
1
no big deal I'm 18 and I'm already doing heroine, cocaine , mdma ,percocet,lsd,shrooms smoking weed all day drinking
Are you proud of yourself
Tenicious
1
Glory be to God!!!
Genesis_Blue
3
Glad you Changed...Some Women are Angel's, Find the Right One and You'd be Lucky AF.
ronnie_luv
6
Maradona: thatβs my student!!!!!!!!!!!π€£π€£
AfzalVafoiyon
1
he was Maradona's studentπππ
Khalifa1426
0
I say Ooin!!
π
Khalifa1426
0
You are doing well
π
CVC
1
no big deal I'm 18 and I'm already doing heroine, cocaine , mdma ,percocet,lsd,shrooms smoking weed all day drinking
I say Ooin!!
Namicrazy
2
no big deal I'm 18 and I'm already doing heroine, cocaine , mdma ,percocet,lsd,shrooms smoking weed all day drinking
You are doing well
lilbo
2
no big deal I'm 18 and I'm already doing heroine, cocaine , mdma ,percocet,lsd,shrooms smoking weed all day drinking
Zohbcklnos
0
thank God,glory be to God.
Tezacikpsz
2
Thank God for your life sir. God can forgive and heal any kind of bad habit because He is good and can do all things. Please if you fall into this category, give God a chance to do the same in your life
Maocilmotz
4
10 beers a day doesnt make you an alcoholic...
UyiGentle
0
Result
Tizbcelmru
3
Jesus is the Lord
matric29
3
haaaaha Brazilian with fake life steely the problem. any have in this life is that they don't know that everything has limit I thank God for your life now and I really appreciate your wife for her help the next is my favourite Ronaldiho because I want him to have good end too[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]