Evra said: "I used to take up to 38 pills a day to be able to step onto the field. Throughout my entire career, there were probably only five times when I felt my body was at 100% fitness." Evra admitted that he was forced to take the field in a painful state, "because at that level, sometimes even with injuries, you have no other choice but to play."
Evra is not the only one speaking out. The issue is increasingly being exposed by professional footballers. Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has publicly revealed his addiction to Tramadol – a substance now banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Former striker Ivan Klasnic won a £4m lawsuit against his former club for allegedly prescribing him painkillers despite having underlying kidney problems. Another former Liverpool star, Daniel Agger, also revealed chronic back pain caused by years of taking medication.
The paradox is that although Evra is famous for his endurance, playing more than 725 matches for big clubs without ever having to take a long break due to injury, that tenacity has come at a huge cost to his body. Now at the age of 44, he considers investing in his health after football the most important investment of his life.
Evra insists his aim is to educate the next generation of players about protecting their bodies, finding a sustainable path instead of relying on painkillers, as he was once forced into. As more former players come forward, pressure is mounting on clubs and football administrators to change their approach to injuries.
Source: https://znews.vn/bi-mat-kho-tin-cua-evra-post1605645.html
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