English football midfielder Dele Alli revealed on Thursday that he has recently completed a rehabilitation program for a sleeping pill addiction, which he developed as a coping mechanism for the trauma of suffering sexual abuse during his childhood. Alli, who currently plays for Everton, spoke about his experiences on Gary Neville’s podcast, “The Overlap,” where he shared his journey of overcoming adversity.
The 27-year-old midfielder, once regarded as one of English football’s brightest talents, also disclosed that he had been involved in drug dealing by the age of eight. However, his life took a positive turn when he was adopted by a new family at the age of 12. Alli gained prominence under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur and was a key player in England’s journey to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.
Despite his early successes, Alli’s career has faced setbacks in recent years, with his form declining at Tottenham before struggling to make an impact at Everton and during his loan spell at Besiktas last season. He attributed these struggles to the traumatic events of his childhood, which he had attempted to suppress.
In his candid interview, Alli revealed disturbing details about his upbringing, stating that he was molested at the age of six by a friend of his alcoholic mother. He further disclosed that he was sent to Africa to learn discipline at the age of seven but was eventually brought back to the UK. By the time he was eight, he had started smoking and dealing drugs, hiding them in his football while riding around on his bike. At the age of eleven, he was subjected to a harrowing incident where he was hung off a bridge by an individual from his neighborhood. However, at the age of twelve, Alli was adopted by a loving family who made a profound impact on his life.
Alli hopes that by sharing his experiences, he can provide support and encouragement to others who have suffered similar abuse. His six-week stint in rehab not only helped him overcome his addiction but also reignited his passion for his football career.
The footballer also shed light on the widespread issue of sleeping pill addiction in football. He revealed that many players are prescribed sleeping tablets before and after matches, and this has become a prevalent problem within the sport. Alli cautioned about the potential dangers of relying on sleeping pills to cope with personal issues, stating that while they may temporarily alleviate problems, they can have adverse effects on one’s overall well-being.
In addition to his rehabilitation journey, Alli is currently recovering from an injury. Everton has announced that he will be focusing on his mental and physical well-being in preparation for the upcoming season, which commences next month. The club issued a statement expressing its respect and admiration for Alli’s bravery in speaking out about the challenges he has faced. Everton also requested that his privacy be respected during his recovery process to ensure he receives the necessary care and support.
Alli’s former Tottenham teammate and England captain, Harry Kane, praised his courage in publicly sharing his experiences, acknowledging the potential impact it could have on helping others. Kane took to Twitter to express his pride in Alli’s actions.
