For the choices I made, I might not be here today

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Portal dos Dragões

·11 September 2025

For the choices I made, I might not be here today

The former FC Porto and Sporting striker, Mário Jardel, opened up in an interview with Globo Esporte about his battle with drugs, stating that he is “clean” and committed to a more balanced life.

“It’s like killing a lion every day. For someone who was addicted, it’s always a daily struggle. I went through several treatments, recovered, and I’m strong and steady. I’m not ashamed to talk about it, because the people who know me know the man I am: I never hurt anyone, only myself,” confessed the former striker.

Jardel also highlighted the role of faith and family support in his recovery:

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“I’m a family and church man, I seek to strengthen myself in God and keep away those who don’t deserve to be near me. I live a peaceful life with my family, and I play some exhibition matches outside Brazil. I no longer earn millionaire salaries, but I need to work and pay bills.”

The former Brazil international, who left a strong mark on Portuguese football, was even more categorical:

“For everything I did wrong, I could already be dead, but I consider myself a blessed man.”

Interestingly, Jardel acknowledged that his time on Big Brother Famosos in 2022 contributed to his recovery:

“It was two months locked in, without alcohol. It helped me a lot, strengthened me, and improved my image. My mother passed away a week before the final and I didn’t leave, because I knew I could fall into depression.”

At 50 years old, Jardel runs a café and other family businesses in Fortaleza, Brazil, and is also dedicated to a new activity: motivational talks, where he shares his life journey and story of overcoming adversity.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.

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For the choices I made, I might not be here today | OneFootball

For the choices I made, I might not be here today

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