The phenomenon of footballers succumbing to alcohol, gambling, and promiscuity appears to have become an integral aspect of the footballing world. Despite numerous cautionary tales, wayward players continue to emerge, regardless of improved professional awareness and consciousness. Jack Grealish serves as a prime example.
A player who contributed to Manchester City’s treble triumph in the 2022/23 season was seen celebrating with a strong odor of alcohol. Images surfaced of him pouring champagne over himself and videos captured instances of others pouring alcohol on him. Additionally, there were pictures of Kalvin Phillips pouring vodka into Grealish’s mouth onstage before a crowd of thousands. These incidents tarnish moments of glory.
However, it doesn’t end there. Following his celebratory stage exit, Grealish embarked on a whirlwind adventure from Istanbul to Manchester via Ibiza, then to East Staffordshire and Malta, each stop marked by excessive drinking.
What sets Grealish apart is his lack of effort to conceal his true nature. Without hesitation, he would readily admit to being a “party animal” in interviews. If Manchester City were to win a European cup, he would charter a plane to Ibiza for immediate celebrations.
Few Premier League players exhibit the unabashed display of their physique as Grealish does, such as when he removed his shirt on a convertible team bus cruising through Manchester’s rain-soaked streets. Fortunately, he evaded repercussions for his reckless behavior fueled by intoxication.
The fame and wealth of footballers often lead to discreet alcohol consumption, typically in upscale bars like Mayfair, where vodka is bought by the bottle, and bills rival the price of a mid-range car.
In earlier times, when beer was not refrigerated and mainly served in handled mugs, Bobby Moore—captain of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team—was signed as a liquor sponsor, despite alcohol never being football’s friend. This relationship has always been problematic and prone to extremes.
Today, many players are inclined to abstain from alcohol entirely. Football demands rigor, with rewards for success being substantial, and tales of debauchery among players vividly portray the dangers, prompting some to shun alcohol altogether.
Cristiano Ronaldo, whose late father struggled with alcohol addiction, epitomizes the abstinence movement. Others, like Jordan Henderson and James Milner, along with many Muslims, have long refrained from alcohol.
Grealish’s former teammate, Ilkay Gundogan, wouldn’t queue up to pour drinks down his teammate’s throat. There have been numerous cautionary tales, with Jimmy Greaves, George Best, and Paul Gascoigne—talented English footballers—succumbing to heavy alcoholism, endangering their lives and squandering their talents.
Grealish’s recent revelries are mere amusement. The Englishman has been integrated into one of football’s greatest teams. While alcohol may not be football’s ally, moderate consumption and control mitigate its harm.
However, Grealish’s drunken escapades illustrate his potential for recklessness, whether stumbling through the streets of Tenerife while intoxicated during a holiday or crashing his car three years ago in Solihull, with witnesses recalling the smell of alcohol on his breath.
Since joining Manchester City, such scandals have diminished, only resurfacing during moments of club-wide euphoria following victories. Nevertheless, the club has closely monitored Grealish in recent times, though the inherent risk persists, threatening to derail his career at any moment.
The footballing environment is now characterized by seriousness and professionalism. Players are expected to hold views on various topics and provide guidance to younger generations beyond local expectations, particularly concerning alcohol, beer, tobacco, and sex.
Their professionalism has never been more evident, with most players engaging in personal training programs before returning to their respective clubs. Many combine holidaying with training.
Grealish acknowledges that significant success and exuberant celebrations warrant closer scrutiny. Top coaches are more observant than anyone else, with Pep Guardiola leading the charge. He won’t allow his English player to squander his youth.
Nearly 150 years have passed, yet alcohol remains pervasive in this sport: advertisements adorn stadiums, bars proliferate around football grounds, and players themselves often seek solace in alcohol-fueled moments.