Former Inter Milan starlet admits he hit rock bottom: "I am a recovering addict"

You thought those famous footballers were living the lives of rock stars? Well, it is actually like that to some point, but there's one big difference - those musicians can continue their work until death (just look at Mick Jagger, for instance), unlike players who usually retire in their late 30s. And what after that? Well, that's the catch for many, and quite a few find it hard to accommodate to a new life, suddenly without games, training, and everything that goes with that fame.

Therefore, we shouldn't be surprised with the stories like the one of former Inter Milan midfielder Fredy Guarin.

The former Colombian international admitted to being a victim of alcohol and how it ruined his life. He shared his story in an interview with the website Semana.com, saying he's happy today as he lives day by day. However...

"When I retired from football and especially in the way that I retired, which was not appropriate, I was left with the feeling of 'what do I do now?'. For 20 years, my goal was to dedicate myself to football, and that's what I know how to do. In addition, I hadn't prepared for other things. I was helpless and made wrong decisions. I decided to cling to alcohol, made wrong decisions hurting many people," explained Guarin before adding:

"I am an alcoholic one hundred per cent. I am an alcoholic and I admit it. I am a recovering addict. I remember what was not done well, and what was done poorly. Learning is a great motivation. I was a social alcoholic for several years. While I was active in football, I was living in consumption. From there, my behaviour started. When I left Millonarios, it was the lowest point I had reached because, in these last three years, I have hit the bottom of my addiction."

Guarin, who also featured for Porto, Vasco da Gama, Boca Juniors, Saint-Etienne, reminiscend about his past days...

"I no longer worked, I had lost my dignity, my tight social circle, the trust of loved ones, and most importantly, my three children. I had to ask for help, I had already done so several times, but I had relapses. I had to surrender and give myself to my higher self, to some professionals I am working with to be able to remedy many things, especially accepting myself. I have already knocked on the devil's door, and it's not great."

The 37-year-old concluded he really fears just two things: 

"Death and jail. I have a phrase, I wrote it myself - I fear death and jail, and without knowing it, I lived in a jail sentenced to death."