A. Mutu: I could have easily won the "Golden Ball"

2025-03-27 19:15 © SIPA

In the past, the famous Romanian football player Adrian Mutu believes that a reckless lifestyle may have ruined his career.

In 2003, the player joined London’s Chelsea club for 22.5 million euros, but later fell out with head coach Jose Mourinho. Moreover, in 2004 he became involved in a cocaine scandal.

After a seven-month suspension, the Romanian played in the Italian league again, but he never regained his former glory.

As A. Mutu now mentioned, he had a great chance to win the Ballon d'Or in the past.

"I arrived at Chelsea during a very turbulent time in my life, and I was often lying and looking for excuses."

I was too young and lonely.

Still, I was among the best players in the world back then, and I could have easily won the Ballon d'Or. Of course, my unsuccessful decisions got in the way," A. Mutu explained.

Interestingly, in the 2003 voting, the Romanian received as many votes as famous players like Ronaldinho, Filippo Inzaghi, Jan Koller, or Francesco Toldo, and shared places 22–26 with them on the list.