football It requires discipline and perseverance. Mario Jardel, Considered one of the best forwards of his time, he had a career that promised to make history, but His addictions kept him from stardom. His career is an example of how personal difficulties can affect even the most talented athletes.
Jardel’s case highlights the importance of addressing issues such as addictions and mental health in sport. Their story shows that, beyond titles and goals, athletes also face internal struggles that can define their lives on and off the field.
What was Mario Jardel’s career like?
Mario began his professional career in 1991 with the Vasco da Gama in Brazilwhere he already showed his scoring ability. However, it was in Porto Alegre Guild where his name began to stand out internationally, especially by becoming the maximum goalscorer of the Copa Libertadores in 1995a tournament that he also won with his team.
The jump to Europe arrived in 1996, when he signed for the Port of Portugal. In this club, the goalkeeper lived his best moment, scoring 130 goals in 125 games. Was top scorer in the portuguese league in three consecutive seasons, winning the prestigious Golden Boot in 1999. This success established him as one of the most effective forwards on the continent.
In 2000, he moved to Galatasaray of Türkiyewhere he continued his scoring streak and won important titles, including a double in the UEFA Super Cup against him Real Madrid. His career seemed to be on the rise, and in 2002 he joined the Sporting Lisbon. It was on this team where he coincided with Cristiano Ronaldowho is said to have taught heading techniques, but also where his off-field problems began.
Until 2003, Jardel accumulated impressive figures, with almost 300 goals in just over 300 games. However, that same year, the excesses began to take their toll on him, marking the beginning of a period of decline both professionally and personally.
What happened to Mario Jardel
In 2002, while still playing for Sporting Lisbon, Jardel suffered a cocaine overdose that kept him awake for seven days. This episode marked the beginning of the end of his career. In recent interviews, the player acknowledged that his drug addiction and lack of discipline led him to lose direction both in football and in his personal life.
After leaving Sporting in 2003, his career took a drastic turn. In the following years, He went through 15 clubs in 11 years, playing only 120 games and scoring just 18 goals. Although he joined teams like Newell’s Old Boys, where he was champion in 2004 under the direction of Américo Gallego, his performance was already far from his previous level.
In addition to drug problems, the athlete suffered from depression and social isolationespecially after retiring from football. “After you stop playing, no one calls you,” confessed the Brazilian, highlighting how difficult it is for many former soccer players to adapt to a life away from the spotlight.
In recent years, the former striker has tried to rebuild his life. Worked as intermediary in football and has been involved in sports projects, such as his role in 2021 as coordinator in a modest club in Portugal. He also used his experience to raise awareness about addiction, sharing his story on television shows and public events.
Source: Ambito
