The former Brazilian Cícero Joao de Cézare 'Cicinho ', who among other European teams played for Real Madrid for about two years , revealed in a column published Monday in the newspaper 'Estado de Sao Paulo' that he suffered alcoholism for almost 20 years .

" I started drinking with 13 to 14 years , when I went to the Botafogo de Ribeirao Preto. They told me that the beer was good and I had it. It all started with the first drink and I went to stop with 30 years. Almost 20 years drinking, " he confessed. the exfutbolsita in his writing, in which he assured that he came to drink " more or less ten boxes of beer per day ".

Cicinho explained that until his signing for Atlético Mineiro, at the beginning of his sports career, "he only" drank beer because "he had no money", but then "he started drinking everything".

" And cigar . I smoked for 11 years, from 1999 to 2010. I only smoked when I drank, but look what I drank .... All day, " he added.

He also said that he perceived that he was going out of line when he began to lose "the pleasure" of "playing football". "I was always in love with football . When God gives a gift and we don't know how to manage it, it's because there is something wrong. I had no more pleasure in entering the field, training and concentrating. I was 30 years old and I was playing with Roma in 2010 "he said.

Cicinho, today 39, announced his retirement from football in March 2018 due to his constant knee problems. He started to emerge in Brazil with the Sao Paulo shirt, with which he won the 2005 Copa Libertadores and the Club World Cup that year.

His good performance with the São Paulo team caught the attention of Real Madrid , who hired him at the end of 2005 although he transferred it a little more than a year and a half later to Rome.

The side returned to Spain from the hand of Villarreal and closed his European tour in the Turkish Sivasspor, after passing through the Sport of Recife in his country.

With the Brazilian team he won the Confederations Cup in 2005 and was summoned for the 2006 World Cup in Germany to add a total of 17 participations with the Canarinha.

Cicinho said he began the path of his rehabilitation of alcohol problems when he met his wife .

"She encouraged me to know the principles I had, which were oriented to the word of God , and that is how I had my transformation," he summarized.

He also announced that he received an offer to return to dress short with the Vila Nova de Goiás, although he rejected it because he says he already feels fulfilled as a footballer and prefers to make other young people aware of what happened to him. "Football was a phase in my life. Now my phase is to show my testimony and help people not to fall on the road where I fell. I give motivational conferences. I am not in a position to play, my mind is of an ex-soccer player , my body is already used to it, "he said.

He revealed that the first time he presented his problem "he was very criticized," but said that when a "person speaks openly" about such matters is because "he overcame all traumas" about it.

" I haven't had problems with alcohol and cigarettes for eight years. I do n't betray my wife, I live the principles God asks me. I hope people look at him for help because it's sad to see great Brazilian soccer players and worldwide with the power to influence the good side, and that they do it on the bad side, "he completed.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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