- Childhood trauma: Dele Alli reveals childhood sexual molestation and difficult upbringing
- Road to recovery: Alli’s decision to seek treatment for sleeping pill and alcohol addictions
- Support from Everton: The club backs Alli in his return to fitness and personal challenges
The former England and Tottenham midfielder claims he spent six weeks in rehab for his sleeping medication and booze addictions.
Six-year-old Dele Alli disclosed that he was sexually molested as a child.
The former England star, now 27, told Gary Neville’s YouTube channel The Overlap, “At the age of six, I was molested by a frequent houseguest of my mother.” My mother drank alcohol.”
The Everton footballer discussed his difficult adolescence and how it drove him to seek treatment in the United States.
“I was sent to Africa to learn discipline before being returned.
“At age seven, I began smoking, and at age eight, I began peddling drugs.
“An adult told me they wouldn’t halt a child on a bicycle, so I would ride around with my football and drugs concealed underneath.
“At age 11, I was hanged from a bridge by a man from the neighboring estate. A man.”
However, Alli stated that his life transformed when he was adopted by “an amazing family” at the age of 12.
“I couldn’t have asked for better people to do what they have done for me,” he said.
“If God created individuals, it would have been them; they were incredible and very helpful.
Alli also stated that his childhood trauma played a role in his recent decision to enter a rehabilitation facility for six weeks.
“I reached a point where I was in a bad position; several issues had accumulated”.
We all have emotions, and sometimes we believe that the best way to deal with them is to stuff them down, conceal them, and lock them away. However, over time, they build up, and we reach a point where we’re human and it all breaks out.
“When I was younger, many events occurred that I could never comprehend.
He stated that entering recovery was the “biggest decision of my life” that he was terrified to make.
The former Tottenham and England midfielder confessed he was dependent on sleeping pills and previously abused alcohol.
“I was trapped in a vicious cycle; I relied on items that were causing me harm.
“I’ve been doing it for a long time without realizing it,” he said. “I was doing it to numb my feelings, but I didn’t realize I was doing it for that reason.”
“It’s probably not just a problem I have; I believe it’s more prevalent than people realize in football.
“I have unquestionably exploited [sleeping pills] too much. “It got really bad at times, and I didn’t realize how bad it was, but I never dealt with the root of the problem – when I was growing up, the traumas I experienced, and the feelings I had – because I tried to handle everything on my own,” he said.
“I lost myself for a few years.”
Alli was a vital member of the England team that reached the World Cup semifinals in 2018 and helped Tottenham reach the Champions League final the following year.
However, he fell out of form and departed Spurs for Everton in February 2022, before spending last season on loan at Turkish club Besiktas.
Alli stated that he contemplated retiring at the age of 24 three years ago.
“One morning I awoke and was required to go to training”.
I was in a terrible situation. I was genuinely staring at myself in the mirror and wondering if it was time to retire. At 24. Doing what I enjoy most.
“That was heartbreaking for me.”
Gary Neville, the anchor of The Overlap, stated on Twitter that the interview was “the most emotional, difficult, and inspiring conversation I’ve ever had.”
Alli returned to Everton’s pre-season training last week.
Everton has supported Dele in his return to fitness and in overcoming the personal challenges he discussed in his interview with The Overlap, according to a club representative.
“Everyone at Everton admires and respects Dele’s courage to speak out about his struggles and seek the necessary assistance. Physical and mental health are of the utmost importance for all of our athletes.
“The club takes its responsibility to protect the privacy of players and staff very seriously.” Dele will not be undertaking any additional interviews regarding his rehabilitation, and we ask that his privacy be respected as he continues to recover from injury and receives the necessary care and support.”
