Dele Alli Opens Up on Dark Past and Battle with Sleeping Pill Addiction
From Trauma to Triumph: Alli’s Shocking Childhood Revealed
English midfielder Dele Alli has lifted the lid on a harrowing childhood that saw him battling trauma, drug dealing, and abuse. Speaking on Gary Neville’s podcast, The Overlap, the Everton star revealed he recently completed rehab for a sleeping pill addiction, a coping mechanism born from enduring sexual abuse as a child.
Alli, 27, stunned fans by confessing he was involved in drug dealing at just eight years old. His life, however, transformed when a new family adopted him at 12, offering him the stability he desperately needed.
Life on and Off the Pitch: A Rocky Career
Once hailed as one of England’s brightest footballing talents under Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur, Alli’s career has suffered huge setbacks. After a dip in form at Spurs, his spells at Everton and on loan at Besiktas failed to reignite his earlier promise.
He attributes these struggles to the buried trauma of his youth. “I was molested at six by a friend of my mum’s,” he revealed, shedding light on the dark battles behind the scenes. By seven, he was sent to Africa to learn discipline, but eventually returned to the UK. By eight, Alli was both smoking and dealing drugs, stashing them in his football while cycling around. At eleven, he endured a terrifying ordeal when someone from his neighbourhood hung him off a bridge. But a fresh start came with adoption at twelve.
Speaking Out to Inspire Others
Alli hopes his candid revelations will help others grappling with abuse and addiction. The six weeks he spent in rehab not only freed him from sleeping pill dependency but also revived his passion for football.
Addressing a wider problem, Alli warned about the rampant use of sleeping pills in football. “Players are often prescribed these tablets before and after matches,” he said, highlighting a hidden crisis in the sport. “They might mask problems temporarily but can have serious side effects.”
Everton and Teammates Back Alli’s Brave Journey
Currently recovering from injury, Everton confirmed Alli will prioritise his mental and physical health ahead of next season. The club praised his courage and asked fans to respect his privacy during recovery.
Former Spurs teammate and England captain Harry Kane threw his weight behind Alli, tweeting his pride in the midfielder’s honesty and the positive impact his story could have.
