Everton midfielder has openly discussed the traumas of his early life, including being sexually abused at six, dealing drugs by eight, and his recent struggle with a sleeping pill addiction that led to a rehab stint.
The footballer, whose career had been on a downward trajectory, shared the root causes of his mental health struggles in a candid conversation, revealing his contemplation of retirement at just 24.
In an emotional disclosure on The Overlap podcast with Gary Neville, Alli recounted his harrowing childhood experiences, including his mother’s alcoholism, being sent to Africa for discipline, and his eventual adoption by the Hickford family at the age of twelve, whom he credits as life-changing.
Despite achieving football success, including a pivotal role in England’s 2018 World Cup run, Alli battled personal demons in silence, which included a dangerous addiction to sleeping pills and alcohol dependency.
“Alli emphasized the hidden nature of such problems within football, confessing his misuse of sleeping pills to numb emotional pain, a situation that escalated to “scary moments.”
The turning point came under the management of José Mourinho at Tottenham, when Alli, feeling sidelined and broken, contemplated ending his career prematurely.
Seeking help, Alli checked into a U.S. rehab clinic for mental health, addiction, and trauma after a challenging season on loan at Besiktas and facing surgery for an injury. Everton’s full support during this period was a significant relief to him.
Alli’s bravery in addressing his struggles publicly has garnered support from the football community, including former teammates and England captain Harry Kane, who commended him for his openness in hopes of aiding others facing similar challenges.
