'I could have won the Ballon d'Or' — Former Chelsea forward reveals cocaine use ended his career, stopped him from winning Ballon d'Or

Former Chelsea star Adrian Mutu has openly admitted that his use of cocaine during his career cost him the chance to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or, a title he believes was well within his grasp.

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‎'Adrian Mutu.'

‎Getty Images Sport 

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‎Mutu’s time at Chelsea was both brief and tumultuous. After joining the club from Parma, the Romanian forward initially showed promise. However, his tenure quickly spiraled following a falling-out with manager José Mourinho and struggles with personal issues. Mutu’s career in the Premier League came to an abrupt end when he was banned for eight months after testing positive for cocaine. This incident led to his dismissal from Chelsea, marking a disgraceful end to his time in London.

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‎In a candid interview with The Telegraph, Mutu reflected on his decisions and the impact they had on his career. "Taking cocaine during my time at Chelsea was the worst decision I could have made," he confessed. "I was alone and sad, but neither depression nor anything else justified my actions. Zero tolerance – that was Chelsea's policy regarding drugs. And I think that's fair."

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‎The 45-year-old former forward expressed regret over his actions, admitting that his lifestyle choices led him down a dangerous path. "I made a mistake, strayed from the path, and paid the price for it," he said. "I wasn’t used to that life. I was unprepared, too young, and too alone. I found myself caught up in excuses and lies."

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‎Despite the mistakes, Mutu remains confident in his abilities and talent. "I believe that for more than a season, I was among the best players in the world, so I could have won the Ballon d'Or easily," he stated. "But bad decisions prevented me from doing so. I try not to beat myself up about it."

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‎Mutu’s football journey began with Inter Milan in 2000, but it was during his time at Parma that he truly flourished. After a stellar 2002-03 season, scoring 22 goals in 36 appearances, Chelsea, under the ownership of Roman Abramovich, moved to secure his signature. Mutu even earned a Ballon d'Or nomination, drawing votes alongside football icons such as Ronaldinho and Filippo Inzaghi. However, after a promising start at Chelsea, his form rapidly declined.

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‎Reports emerged about his off-field struggles, including concerns over his lifestyle and potential drug use. These worries were confirmed when Mutu failed a drug test in September 2004. Chelsea swiftly terminated his contract, and his career at the club came to an end. The seven-month suspension was a decisive blow to what could have been a promising tenure in English football.

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‎While his time at Chelsea ended in shame, Mutu’s talent remains undeniable. Now reflecting on what could have been, he views his mistakes as a cautionary tale of missed potential. SA