Ex-football star sure: I could easily have won the Ballon d'Or without cocaine

Cluj-Napoca (Romania) - Adrian Mutu (46) is still regarded as one of Romania's best footballers . With a total of 35 goals in 77 international matches, the 46-year-old is the Balkan country's record goalscorer alongside icon Gheorghe Hagi (60). However, his career has by no means been as straightforward as his performances in the national team jersey would suggest - on the contrary.

Ruined his own playing career by taking cocaine: former professional footballer Adrian Mutu (46).
Ruined his own playing career by taking cocaine: former professional footballer Adrian Mutu (46).  © ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP

In an interview withThe Daily Telegraph, Mutu looked back on his time as a scandalous professional - and spoke openly and honestly about his former drug use.

"Taking cocaine during my time at Chelsea [2003 to 2004, editor's note] was the worst mistake of my life. I was alone and sad, but neither depression nor anything else justified my actions. Zero tolerance - that was Chelsea's policy on drugs. And I think that's fair," he admitted to the British daily.

"I paid the price for it. I was caught off guard. I wasn't used to this life. I was unprepared. I arrived at Chelsea at a turbulent time and I was caught in too many excuses and lies. I was too young and too alone," Mutu recalled.

Positive drug test cost Adrian Mutu his career

The 46-year-old Romanian often stood in his own way.
The 46-year-old Romanian often stood in his own way.  © DANIEL MIHAILESCU / AFP

He also explained: "I've thought about it many times. I believe that I was one of the best players in the world for more than one season, so I could easily have won the Ballon d'Or. But bad decisions prevented me from doing so. I try not to blame myself for that."

In September 2004, the once rising soccer star tested positive for cocaine in a doping test ordered by ex-Chelsea head coach José Mourinho (62), whereupon the world governing body FIFA banned him for seven months.

The ban was to mark the downfall of a career that had previously been on a steep upward trajectory, as Mutu was unable to build on his performances of previous seasons at Juventus Turin (2005 to 2006) and AC Florence (2006 to 2011), among others.

He hung up his soccer boots in 2016.