Chilean Football Star Gary Medel Reveals Past Battle with Alcoholism, Sparking Reaction in Argentina
BUENOS AIRES - Chilean footballer Gary Medel recently disclosed a personal struggle with alcohol during an appearance on the podcast “more than headlines,” prompting significant coverage in Argentine media. the 36-year-old midfielder detailed an incident during his early career that led him to abstain from alcohol entirely.
Medel recounted being stopped by police while intoxicated in the Bellavista neighborhood, an event that received public attention. “I was in Bellavista, drunk, and the police stopped me. It came out everywhere, but I never liked alcohol,” he stated. “I don’t drink now. From that day the police stopped me at 18 or 19, I said I wouldn’t take anymore.” This candid admission has resonated across the sporting world, notably in Argentina where Medel previously played for Boca Juniors.
The Catholic University player further clarified his motivations for drinking, stating, “I drank to get drunk. There happened about Carabineros.I said, ‘I’m never going to take again’, and I never took again.” Argentine sports outlets have highlighted the raw honesty of Medel’s confession. Olé described it as “the raw confession of a former mouth who suffered from alcoholism,” while PLANETA BOCA JUNIORS framed it as “Gary Medel’s hard story about his past in Chile.”
Publications like tyc Sports emphasized Medel’s “crude confession about her alcoholism,” and Vía País noted his history with prominent figures in Argentine football, stating, “He played in Boca, had problems with Messi, Gallardo and revealed his fight against alcohol.” Yellow double connected the revelation to his departure from Boca Juniors, reporting that Medel “made a strong confession about his fight with alcohol” following his time with the club.
Medel’s openness about his past struggles offers a rare glimpse into the personal challenges faced by professional athletes and underscores the importance of addressing addiction.The story continues to circulate as fans and media alike acknowledge the footballer’s vulnerability and resilience.
