I Could Have Won Ballon d’Or If Not For Cocaine Use – Ex-Chelsea

Adrian Mutu, a former striker for Juventus, Parma, and Chelsea, has asserted that he could have ‘easily’ secured the Ballon d’Or had it not been for his cocaine use, though he insists he was ‘happiest’ during his time at Fiorentina.

The Romanian ex-player is now employed as a coach in his native country after hanging up his boots in 2016.

He faced significant trouble in October 2004 when he tested positive for cocaine, leading to his dismissal from Chelsea, only months after a high-profile £16m move from Parma.

“Taking cocaine during my time at Chelsea was the worst decision I could have made in my career,” Mutu confessed to Telegraph Sport.

“I was alone and sad, but neither depression nor anything else justified my actions. I should have sought assistance, and I didn’t. However, you learn from everything in life, and that lesson made me a better person – much more mature and self-aware. And I’m proud of that.”

Mutu is convinced that this addiction robbed him of a truly illustrious career as a footballer, including the chance to win the Ballon d’Or.
“I’ve reflected on that many times. I believe that for more than a season, I was amongst the best players in the world, so I could have won it easily. But bad decisions prevented me from doing so. I try not to beat myself up about it.”

His troubles persisted when he returned to Italy, facing another suspension for a failed drug test at Fiorentina in 2010.

“Italy put me on the international map, and after such a turbulent and conflicted period in England, it opened its doors to me again to continue my career. At Juventus, we won two league titles, but I was happiest at Fiorentina, where I regained my best form,” Mutu went on to say.

Now working as a coach with young academy players, he hopes his past experiences can impart valuable lessons to the next generation.

“As a footballer, I wasn’t able to see many things. I also wasn’t ready at the time. As the years went by, I realised the mistakes I made during that period. Do I regret it? I’d be lying if I said otherwise, but it was something I didn’t know how to handle. Now, I see everything from a different perspective.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli