Daryl Janmaat Opens Up on Cocaine Addiction After Football Career

Former Premier League defender Daryl Janmaat has revealed a battle with cocaine addiction following his retirement from professional football. The 36-year-old, who played for Newcastle United and Watford, shared his struggles in recent interviews with Dutch media outlets.

Career and Background

Janmaat enjoyed a 15-year professional career, playing in the Netherlands and England. He earned 34 caps for the Netherlands national team, including appearances at the 2014 World Cup Goal.com. He spent two years at Newcastle United before moving to Watford in 2016, eventually returning to the Netherlands with ADO Den Haag in 2020 Mirror.

The Struggle with Addiction

Janmaat retired from professional football in 2022 and transitioned into a technical manager role at ADO Den Haag. However, the conclude of his playing career, triggered by a knee injury, marked the beginning of his struggles with cocaine addiction. He described feeling unsupported after his injury Daily Star.

“I was supposed to receive help from everyone and everything, but I was left to fend for myself. It was nothing,” Janmaat stated, according to reports in Dutch newspaper AD Mirror.

Impact on Family

Janmaat expressed concern about the impact of his addiction on his three children. “I have three children who also hear and read things,” he said via Dutch newspaper AD Daily Star. “I can’t and don’t want to go into all the details, but my cocaine addiction has caused a lot of damage.”

Rehabilitation

The former Premier League star sought help at a rehabilitation clinic in South Africa after his condition worsened Telegrafi. He described “hitting a very deep point” during this period Goal.com.

Looking Ahead

Janmaat’s decision to speak openly about his addiction aims to raise awareness and encourage others struggling with similar issues to seek help. His story highlights the challenges faced by athletes transitioning out of professional sports and the importance of support systems during these times.