"I swear I won't touch alcohol again during my career" – Ross Barkley opens up about alcohol struggles
Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley has made a candid confession, revealing that he has completely given up alcohol to protect his career and find inner peace.
Details: The 31-year-old told The Athletic in an interview that alcohol was the root of many of his problems—both on and off the pitch.
"I haven’t drunk since the summer. I plan to stay away from alcohol for the rest of my career. It created situations I never want to be in again. Now I’m a father, I have more responsibility. I’ve got six or seven years left to play, and I want to make the most of that time," Barkley shared.
The midfielder admitted that alcohol negatively impacted his mental health and hindered his professional development. He recalled how partying led to scandals—once, he was filmed in a bar before a crucial Chelsea match, and the footage quickly made headlines.
"Alcohol can create problems, and I realized that. Without it, those problems just don’t exist. You wake up clear-headed and in control every day," he noted.
Barkley added that he now relies on discipline, psychological support, and the right approach to life and football. He admits he regrets not realizing this sooner:
"There were times when I should have kept working and stayed in shape, but I’d choose a night out at the club instead. Now I see I could have achieved more. But from now on—no more excuses. I want to play at the top level again and win with Aston Villa."
This season, the midfielder has made five appearances for Aston Villa, scoring once—netting in the most recent match against Bournemouth.
Reminder: Former Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard is the leading candidate for the Middlesbrough manager role.
Steven Perez
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