Adrian Mutu Claims Cocaine Use Cost Ballon d'Or, Chelsea Career

Adrian Mutu, the former Chelsea forward, has publicly reflected on his struggles with cocaine use during his time at the club, which he believes cost him the chance to win the Ballon d'Or. Mutu, who joined Chelsea in 2003 for £16 million, started strong but faced a downfall after testing positive for cocaine, leading to a seven-month ban and his eventual departure from the club. In a recent interview, he expressed regret over his choices, stating that feeling isolated contributed to his decisions, and acknowledged Chelsea's zero-tolerance policy on drugs as fair. He emphasized that his experience has made him more mature and self-aware, although he recognizes that he strayed from the right path. After his Chelsea stint, Mutu managed to revive his career in Italy but believes that better choices could have led him to greater heights. Following his retirement, he has taken up coaching roles, including managing Romania's Under-21 team.