Former Netherlands international and Premier League defender Daryl Janmaat has publicly admitted to struggling with cocaine addiction following his retirement from professional football. According to Swedish media reports, the 36-year-old former player revealed his addiction in an interview with Dutch newspaper AD.
Janmaat, who reportedly played over 140 Premier League matches for clubs including Newcastle and Watford, was forced to retire at age 32 due to a serious knee injury. After ending his playing career, he took on a role as technical director at ADO Den Haag, but struggled with the transition from professional athlete to post-career life.
My cocaine addiction has caused a lot of damage. I was supposed to get help from everyone, but I was left to myself. Suddenly I lost the structure I had had for years as a football player.
"My cocaine addiction has caused a lot of damage," Janmaat told the Dutch publication. "I was supposed to get help from everyone, but I was left to myself. Suddenly I lost the structure I had had for years as a football player."
The former defender, who was part of the Netherlands squad that won World Cup bronze in 2014, described how the addiction gradually took hold. "The cocaine addiction crept up gradually. You start lying to the people you love. It's terrible. I have hurt many people," he said.
The cocaine addiction crept up gradually. You start lying to the people you love. It's terrible. I have hurt many people.
Janmaat reportedly has now undergone treatment and found stability in his life after addiction. He hopes his story will serve as a warning to others about the dangers of substance abuse. "Cocaine destroys a lot. My family and my friends were there for me, but I betrayed many people," he added.
The former Feyenoord player's admission highlights the challenges professional athletes can face when transitioning away from the structured environment of competitive sports.
Cocaine destroys a lot. My family and my friends were there for me, but I betrayed many people.