Former Colombian Footballer Fredy Guarín Admits to Alcohol Addiction
Yasmine Green
Dailysports's expert
Translated by the editors
Fredy Guarín, a former player for Porto and Inter Milan, has opened up about his struggles with alcohol addiction, Bild reports. He revealed that his heavy drinking began during his time at Inter in Italy and spiraled out of control during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I drank 50, 60, or even 70 bottles of beer in one night. Those were tough times. Then the pandemic hit—I had no training, no team around me, no football, and no fear. I wandered into the favelas and kissed every girl I came across. I was completely disappointed in myself, looking for danger. I craved adrenaline. I didn’t understand the risks," Guarín shared.
In 2020, his struggles nearly led to tragedy when he attempted to jump out of a 17th-floor window. A safety net, which he hadn’t noticed, saved him from a fatal leap.
Guarín has since returned to Colombia, where he completed rehabilitation at a specialized center. He now aims to become an ambassador for a program combating alcoholism among athletes, with plans to promote the initiative in the United States.
Once considered one of Colombian football's brightest prospects, Guarín's career highlights include winning the 2011 Europa League with Porto.
