){kind=small}
Ligue 1){kind=small}
SCO
){kind=logo}
REN
){kind=small}
AJA
){kind=small}
MPL
){kind=logo}
LEH
){kind=small}
FCN
){kind=small}
Bundesl){kind=small}
BVB
){kind=logo}
M05
){kind=small}
Serie A){kind=small}
INT
){kind=small}
UDI
){kind=small}
LaLiga){kind=small}
ATH
){kind=small}
OSA
){kind=logo}
VAL
){kind=logo}
MLL
){kind=small}
LIL
){kind=logo}
LENS
){kind=small}
NAP
){kind=small}
MIL
){kind=logo}
BET
){kind=logo}
SEV
){kind=small}
VER
){kind=logo}
PAR
){kind=small}
LAZ
){kind=logo}
TOR
){kind=logo}
CEL
){kind=logo}
LAS
){kind=small}
Premier){kind=logo}
WOL
){kind=small}
WHU
){kind=small}
ARS
){kind=logo}
FUL
){kind=logo}
NFO
){kind=logo}
MUN
){kind=logo}
NEW
){kind=small}
BRE
){kind=small}
MCI
){kind=logo}
LEI
){kind=logo}
BHA
){kind=small}
AVL
){kind=small}
BOU
){kind=logo}
IPS
)
An ex-teammate of Super Eagles legend Celestine Babayaro recently revealed how cocaine use derailed his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or
Former Chelsea forward and ex-teammate of Nigerian defender Celestine Babayaro, Adrian Mutu, has opened up about the self-destructive choices that derailed his career.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Soccer News in Nigeria from Pulse Sports
In a brutally honest interview, the Romanian star admitted that his decision to take cocaine cost him a shot at football greatness.
Mutu's fall from grace from Ballon d’Or nominee to Chelsea outcast
Few players have fallen from the footballing elite as spectacularly as Adrian Mutu. Back in 2003, the Romanian forward arrived at Stamford Bridge with the world at his feet.
)
He had just completed a sensational season at Parma, scoring 22 goals in 36 games, which earned him a move to Chelsea under Roman Abramovich's first wave of big-money signings.
By the end of that year, Mutu was even nominated for the Ballon d’Or, standing alongside legends like Ronaldinho and Filippo Inzaghi. But instead of going on to achieve footballing immortality, his career unraveled due to a series of off-the-pitch missteps.
)
After a bright start at Chelsea, things quickly went south when Jose Mourinho took over in 2004. Reports suggest that Mourinho grew wary of Mutu’s nightlife habits, and a pre-season confrontation raised suspicions of drug use.
By September 2004, those suspicions were confirmed when Mutu tested positive for cocaine. The fallout was swift and brutal. The FA banned Mutu for seven months, Chelsea terminated his contract, and the club later sued him for £15.2 million in compensation.
Mutu regrets blowing away Ballon d’Or chance
Looking back on his downfall, Mutu doesn’t make excuses. He acknowledges his reckless decision-making, admitting that his struggles with loneliness and personal issues pushed him into bad choices.
)
Speaking with The Telegraph, Mutu said, “Taking cocaine during my time at Chelsea was the worst decision I could have made in my career.
"I was alone and sad, but neither depression nor anything else justified my actions. I made a mistake, strayed from the path, and paid the price for it. I wasn’t used to that life. I was unprepared."
)
"For more than a season, I was among the best players in the world. I could have won the Ballon d’Or easily, but bad decisions prevented me from doing so. I try not to beat myself up about it, but I know what I lost."
Although his career never reached its full potential, Mutu did manage to revive his footballing journey with Juventus and Fiorentina after serving his suspension. But for many football fans, he remains one of the greatest ‘what could have been’ stories in modern football history.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)