Former Ancona striker Mario Jardel has discussed his past alcohol and drug abuse and how he nearly died from an overdose. He spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about his brief spell at Ancona and about coming out of his problems.
Bad memories of Ancona
Jardel played for Ancona in Serie A in the second half of the 2003-04 campaign, having joined from Bolton in the January transfer window. He said: "I only have bad memories. In six months, I didn’t get paid, and I played just three matches." He said: "The squad was packed full of players, poorly run, and went bankrupt at the end of the year. I bonded with Sonetti and Galeone, much less so with the fans."
He added: "I was 31, I was overweight, and someone called me ‘Lardel’. Probably because when they unveiled me against Perugia I saluted the wrong end: we had the same colours. Some fans took offence after that gesture."
Mendes and an unhealed wound
Of Jorge Mendes, Jardel said: "Jorge Mendes. He wasn’t my agent, but a close friend." He said: "He had contacts in Italy, mentioned my name to some agents and somehow they brought me to Ancona. I was looking for a club where I could play regularly and recover after the nightmare of missing out on the 2002 World Cup, but mentally I never recovered."
Between 2001 and 2003, Jardel scored 67 goals in 62 appearances with Sporting CP. His 67 goals in 62 appearances were still not enough to earn him a call-up to the Brazil national team for the 2002 World Cup, which Brazil won. He said: "Playing in a World Cup was the dream of my life. My first wife left me, and there were issues regarding the custody of our children. I felt that everything was slipping away from me, but the worst was yet to come."
Depression, cocaine and an overdose
Jardel said: "I fell into depression and started drinking excessively." He said: "In the summer of 2003, I tried cocaine. I was on holiday, and I knew I could take it during that period because there was no doping control." He said: "I liked it; it made me feel alive and not depressed. Once, I stayed awake for an entire week. Then I had an overdose; I nearly died, and a friend who was with me saved my life. That was where I hit rock bottom."
He said: "I spent months speaking with psychiatrists." He said: "I came out of it for good when I met my second wife, Sandra: she made me understand the meaning of life, and today I’m happy."
Life back in Brazil
Jardel has returned to Brazil and is an investor. He said: "In Fortaleza, the property market is very popular, and it’s a good way to earn money. In my spare time, I enjoy the sun on the beach, although I miss Italy."
