“Cocaine ruined the life of former Dutch international: ‘They left me alone…'”

In a striking account that reveals the deep challenges he faced, Daryl Janmaat, the former right-back of the Dutch national team, opens up about how his cocaine addiction devastated both his sporting career and his marriage. In an interview with the newspaper ‘Algemeen Dagblad’, Janmaat, who earned 34 caps and shone at clubs like ADO Den Haag and in the Premier League, exposes the harsh reality that lies behind the glamour of football.

The former player, now 36, recalls how it all began after a serious knee injury. “I had many plans, but a knee injury messed everything up. My knee swelled up after an injection that went wrong. The joint became infected because they used the wrong needle. My career ended; I couldn’t handle it,” he laments, revealing the fragility that can lie behind athletes who seem to have it all.

Janmaat not only saw his professional life crumble but also his personal life. “I was supposed to receive help from everyone, but they left me alone. All of a sudden, I lost all the structure I had maintained for years as a footballer. It was difficult. And the addiction gradually increased. You start lying to the people you love… It’s terrible; I hurt a lot of people,” he confesses, exposing the treacherous downward spiral of addiction.

Currently, although he is still officially married, Janmaat admits that the relationship did not survive the impact of addiction. “The relationship was already not going well, and of course that addiction didn’t help. A lot was destroyed, even though we are getting along again. It was cocaine, nothing else. It wasn’t alcohol. I never thought I could become addicted,” he concludes with a sincerity that cuts like a blade.

Daryl Janmaat’s career came to an end in 2022, at the age of 32, while wearing the jersey of ADO Den Haag. His journey included moments of great brilliance, such as participating in the national team that reached the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup, but now he hopes that his testimony serves as a warning for other athletes. Addiction does not discriminate, and the fight to regain life and dignity is a daily battle that many face in silence.

This account is not just the story of a man who lost everything; it is a call to action for everyone around athletes to offer the necessary support. Janmaat may have fallen, but his voice will resonate in the fight against the stigma and loneliness that many face.