Once a celebrated England midfielder, Danny Murphy has revealed a hidden battle he faced after his playing career ended: addiction to cocaine.
Murphy, now a familiar face as a pundit for BBC Sport, enjoyed a successful career that included playing for clubs like Liverpool, where he lifted the FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup in 2001. He also earned nine caps for England.
However, after hanging up his boots in 2013, Murphy struggled to adjust to life without the adrenaline rush and structure of professional football. “When you don’t have football,” he confessed on the Ben Heath Podcast, “problems become huge.”
This period of vulnerability led him down a dark path. “I had a spell on cocaine,” he admitted, “The drink, I could live without it. But with cocaine, I got to the point where I thought I couldn’t do things without it.” He described the initial, deceptive control he felt, which eventually morphed into a powerful addiction.
Thankfully, Murphy found the strength to seek help and therapy. “That year to 18 months from 2017” marked a turning point, giving him “a desire to be better that I didn’t have before.”
Murphy isn’t alone in his struggles. He believes his story reflects a wider issue among retired players. “I was amazed how many [former players] have reached out to me,” he said. This revelation highlights the potential need for increased support for athletes transitioning out of their competitive years.
Dr. Michael Bennett, director of player wellbeing at the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), echoed this sentiment. When Everton midfielder Dele Alli recently spoke about his sleeping pill addiction, Dr. Bennett confirmed that the PFA “regularly supports” members battling addictions.
Murphy’s story serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by athletes after retirement. It’s a story of addiction, recovery, and the importance of support systems. Hopefully, his bravery in speaking out will encourage others to seek help and inspire a conversation about ensuring a smoother transition for retired footballers.
