Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli recently shared his struggles with gambling addiction and his journey towards recovery in an interview held at the Teatro Agnelli in Turin, shedding light on the challenges he faced and the lessons he learned along the way.
The 21-year-old revealed that his descent into online gambling began innocently, initially driven by curiosity and perhaps a sense of loneliness:
“I signed up for illegal platforms because I couldn’t do it with my real name. The real reason, I don’t know, then I continued because I felt comfortable,” Fagioli confessed.
He spoke candidly about how the addiction consumed him, affecting his relationships and his mental well-being. “I didn’t sleep at night, I trained poorly, I spent up to 12 hours a day on the phone. I asked for help because I had hit rock bottom,” Fagioli admitted.
Acknowledging the destructive nature of his addiction, Fagioli emphasized the instant losses and delayed gratification associated with online gambling. “Playing online, whether it’s illegal or not, is difficult to win. Losses are instant, winnings take time to cash out, so you reload immediately. Perhaps this is why the house always wins,” he reflected.
Despite the challenges he faced, Fagioli found solace in the support of his family, friends, teammates, and the Juventus organization. “My relationship with friends and family had changed; I always wanted to be alone, feeling that time spent with them was wasted,” he revealed. However, with professional guidance and support, Fagioli began to appreciate the value of these relationships once again.
Looking ahead, Fagioli expressed his eagerness to return to the pitch and resume his football career. “I can’t wait to play again. The suspension ends on May 19, and I could play the last game of the season on the 25th. The Euros are a dream,” he exclaimed.
