"I only smoked while drinking, but I drank every day"

Former Real Madrid player Sisinho says that leading a non-sporting life is one of the reasons he didn't leave a bigger mark at the Royal Club.

The Brazilian right back arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu in January 2006. He was predicted to have a great career, but he did not live up to expectations and left the club after one and a half seasons.

From this perspective, there is no doubt what he was doing wrong during that period.

"I started drinking when I was 13 or 14, when I was in Botafogo. They told me the beer was good and I drank it. Once I started, I didn't stop until I was thirty-something. I drank for almost 20 years alcohol. I drank 10 beers a day," reveals Sisinjo, as reported by Sport Club.

"In the beginning I only drank beer because I didn't have money for anything else, but when I signed for Atlético Mineiro, I started drinking everything. And smoking. I smoked from 1999 to 2010. I only smoked when I drink, but the problem was that I drank every day," he adds.

After Real, there was a move to Roma. Sisinjo did not succeed in reviving his career there either.

"I always loved football, but at one point that love was lost. God gave me a talent, but I didn't know how to use it in the right way. I no longer felt satisfaction when I ran out onto the field. I was 30 years old at the time and playing for Roma" .

A favorable circumstance for the Brazilian was that he met his current wife Mariana in Rome.

"She encouraged me to stop drinking. She helped me find God's words and that's how I changed. Before her, my obsession was also buying designer clothes. I spent a lot of money on that. Marijana taught me to control myself. She the one who controls the bank accounts. I only have a debit card that can blow easily and then you have nothing. I still love shopping, but Marijana won't let me cross the line. Despite all the crazy things I've done, I've invested the money in some good things "I used to give 80 percent of my salary to my father, who managed to invest it wisely. The remaining 20 percent I wasted. Fortunately, today I am in a good financial situation," Sisinjo points out.

The former Seleção national team player started his career in Botafogo, and then played for Atlético Mineiro, Sao Paulo, Villarreal, Sport Recife, Sivas and Brasiliense, where he retired two years ago.