Dele Alli: footballer says he was sexually abused and dealing drugs as a child

Dele Alli, the former England international and Everton midfielder, has bravely opened up about the traumatic experiences he faced in his childhood. In a heartfelt interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, Dele reveals the reasons behind his recent career decline and how he coped with his difficult upbringing. From being sexually abused at the age of six to selling drugs at eight, Dele’s journey through addiction and mental health struggles has been a challenging one. However, his recent stint at a facility in the USA has helped him confront his trauma and reignite his passion for football. The decision to approach Neville ahead of schedule was prompted by the possibility of a scandalous tabloid story on Dele’s rehabilitation.

In the interview, Dele recounts the incidents that shaped his early years. He discloses that he was molested by his mother’s friend at the age of six, as his alcoholic mother frequently had guests over. At the age of seven, he was sent to Africa to learn discipline and then returned to England. By the age of eight, Dele had already started smoking and dealing drugs. He shares how an older person advised him to hide the drugs under his football while riding his bike, enabling him to evade suspicion. At eleven, he was even hung off a bridge by a man from his neighborhood. Finally, at twelve, Dele was adopted by a loving family who provided him with the care and stability he needed. He expresses his gratitude towards them, stating that they were the ones who saved his life.

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Dele, who now prefers to be called by his first name, admits to struggling with addiction to sleeping tablets as an adult. Although initially prescribed by a doctor, he relied on external sources to feed his addiction. Despite the efforts of friends and former teammates like Eric Dier and Harry Kane, Dele was unwilling to accept help and shut himself off from others. However, he is proud to say that he has overcome this addiction and is grateful for the support he received.

Following Dele’s revelation, Dr Michael Bennett, the director of player wellbeing at the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), urges players who may be facing similar issues to seek support from the PFA. He acknowledges that sleeping tablet addiction is more prevalent in football than people realize due to the demands of the sport. The PFA is committed to handling such cases confidentially and offers assistance to those who may have developed a dependency on medications like sleeping tablets.

Dele reflects on his struggle with addiction, acknowledging that he was using the tablets to mask his underlying traumas and feelings. He admits to isolating himself and refusing to open up to his adopted family, even when they pleaded for him to share his emotions. It took him a few years to realize that he had lost himself and was pushing away the people who cared about him the most.

Furthermore, Dele reveals that he no longer maintains contact with his birth parents after they made false accusations against his adopted family in the media when he turned 18. He believes that the departure of Mauricio Pochettino as Tottenham’s manager in 2019 contributed to the decline in his career. Dele struggled to form connections with new managers and felt that they didn’t truly understand him on a personal level, making it difficult for him to fully commit and give his all.

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The lowest point for Dele came under José Mourinho’s management when he stopped playing him. He recalls staring at himself in the mirror and contemplating retirement at the age of 24, which broke his heart. Despite these challenges, Dele remains determined to overcome them and regain his love for the game.

As he continues his recovery from an injury sustained while on loan at Besiktas last season, Dele shares that he underwent an operation and sought help at a modern-day rehab facility for mental health. He emphasizes the importance of making the decision to seek help oneself, rather than being forced into it, for it to truly be effective. In this journey, he acknowledges the unwavering support he received from Everton.

As Dele’s future at Everton remains uncertain, with only 12 months left on his contract, he remains focused on his recovery and personal growth. Despite the financial challenges faced by the club, Dele has made 13 appearances for Everton so far, inching closer to the contractual requirement of 20 appearances, which would trigger a £10 million payment from the club to Tottenham.

Dele’s journey is one of resilience and strength, where he has faced his demons head-on and taken steps towards healing. His story is a reminder that professions and success do not shield individuals from life’s difficulties, but with support and determination, it is possible to overcome them.