National World Top Stories Update Wednesday 12 November, 2025
A top-flight footballer has revealed he turned up drunk to training on multiple occasions and often “drank 10 beers a day” during his career.
Former Real Madrid defender Cicinho has spoken candidly about his struggles with alcoholism during his time at the Spanish club, and how he would try to hide his addiction from his teammates.
Cicinho spent 18 months at Real Madrid between 2006 and 2007, making 32 appearances before moving to Roma. He also earned 15 caps for Brazil between 2005 and 2006, scoring once for the national team.
In a recent interview on Brazilian TV network EPTV, the retired right-back admitted his drinking habits spiralled out of control on the road to a La Liga title.
He said: “If they ask if I’ve ever been drunk to train with Real Madrid, I did. I drank coffee to take my breath away and showered myself with perfume.
“In my profession, as a professional footballer, it was easy. I didn’t need money to get drinks.
“When I was 13 years old, it was when I tried alcohol for the first time, and I never stopped. I lived in the countryside, and on weekends, we met with friends and went out to the squares, discos. I asked adults to go to buy and drank secretly from my parents and the police.
“Alcohol surrounds you with people who like that lifestyle, and the people who really love you are left out. When they hit a wall and tell you it’s not okay, you don’t want to hear it.
“I have a 15-year-old son and I’m always apologising to him. At that time, he was two years old and he didn’t even understand it well, but that was recorded in my head.”
Cicinho added he would often drink “10 beers a day” and also smoked cigarettes when he was on the booze.
Having recovered from his addiction, the Brazilian is now using his platform to try and help others struggling wih alcoholism.
He said: “Football was a phase in my life. Now my phase is to show my testimony and help people so that they don’t fall down the road where I fell.
“I give motivational conferences. I’m not in a condition to play, my mind is that of an ex-soccer player, my body is used to it.”
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