Once a starter at FC Porto and international for Colombia, Fredy Guarín ended his career in 2021 and lives in his home country, while recovering from alcohol dependence and taking care of his mental health. In an interview with Corriere della Sera, the former midfielder reveals that he started drinking at Inter Milan in 2011, an addiction that worsened in China from 2016 onwards. «I started drinking at Inter, I was suffering from the divorce. Zanetti, Mancini and Icardi tried to help, but the problem was too big, difficult to control. So I had to leave. The situation has worsened in China. My children were far away and I felt responsible. He drank, trained, played. Football was my therapist in those years, it was the only thing that forced me to fulfill my responsibilities.” In 2019, Guarín returned to South America, through Vasco da Gama, but the pandemic deepened the problem. In 2021 he was arrested for domestic violence against his father and other family members. «The world stopped and I became even more alone. I attacked my father, but it wasn't within me, I was drunk. Now, whenever I can, I hug him and apologize. I also tried to end my life three times. God saved me. (…) I asked my agent and my psychologist for help.” «They took me to a foundation, I stopped drinking and started training again. Six months later I met my children again, whom I hadn't seen for four years. (…) They didn’t forgive me right away, but over time they understood. Now I work at the foundation with my psychologist, I want to make my experience available to people.” Fredy Guarín, 39 years old, ended his career in 2021, then linked to Colombian side Millonarios. With FC Porto he won the Europa League, League (three), Portuguese Cup (three) and Super Cup (three). If you need or know someone who needs help, use the following contacts. SOS Friendly Voice: 213 544 545 / 912 802 669 / 963 524 660 / 930 712 500 SNS psychological support line 24: 808 24 24 24