April 27, 2008 6:37 PM

SOURCE:
goal.com

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Jardel Admits To Drug Use

Mário Jardel, the two-times winner of the European Golden Shoe award, admitted to having used drugs on multiple occasions throughout his career...

Super Mario was one of the best goal-scorers in Europe during the 90's, having scored 168 goals in 161 appearances for FC Porto during his first experience in the Old Continent.

Jardel later switched to Turkish side Galatasaray, where he helped his team win the UEFA Super Cup after scoring a brace against Real Madrid, before returning to Portugal, this time to Sporting.

He spent most of the 2002/03 season on the sidelines as he was not considered fit for competition. Several reports suggested Jardel to be depressed because of marital problems, illegal gambling and drug abuse.

Jardel was released from Sporting before the 2003/04 season, and has since fail to settle at a club, having joined eight teams in five seasons with no success.

The former FC Porto striker says that, while he did use drugs, he is now trying to kick-start his career and find a new club in order to return to glorious days.

"It all started with bad friendships," he told Globoesportes. "Then came my divorce, depression and drugs.

"Today, I want to start over. I am training, but I am no example to any child.

"Don't do what I did, because it's no example, I am starting over and acknowledging my mistakes, I want to win from now on."

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

He continued, "I only consumed one drug, cocaine, but not while I was playing: I only took it during vacations.

"I am seeking a new club to reignite my career, because I have the quality and the potential.

"This happens a lot in football, but I can't talk about it. I haven't taken it for two months. My biggest dream is to return to the fields with a big team."

Among Jardel's eight post-Sporting clubs are Newell's Old Boys, Beira Mar, Newcastle Jets and Bolton Wanderers, none of whom are to his liking.

"When I went to some smaller teams, how could I score if there were no players that could put the ball in my feet? It all got worse and the problems snowballed," he sighed.

"I will only play again if it is for a big team, like Grêmio or Vasco da Gama. I would like to return to one of these two clubs and prove that I can do it."

Jardel is currently a free agent and will now try to return to the form which saw him become one of the most feared strikers in Europe.