Former Premier League defender Daryl Janmaat has publicly disclosed his struggle with a cocaine addiction, a battle that significantly contributed to the breakdown of his marriage and followed his retirement from professional football. The Dutch international, who played for Newcastle United and Watford in England, has spoken candidly about the personal turmoil that ensued after his career ended.
Career Highlights and Sudden Retirement
Daryl Janmaat enjoyed a notable football career, making 77 appearances for Newcastle United between 2014 and 2016 before spending four seasons with Watford. His peak achievement came in 2014 when he was part of the Netherlands squad that reached the FIFA World Cup semi-finals, ultimately losing on penalties. The 34-cap international concluded his playing days in 2022 at ADO Den Haag, the same Dutch club where he had initially broken through as a young player.
The Descent into Addiction
In a revealing interview with Dutch newspaper AD, Janmaat explained that his cocaine addiction developed as he struggled to cope with retirement. A severe knee injury, which became infected after a medical injection, abruptly ended his career. "I wanted to so much, but a knee injury threw a spanner in the works," Janmaat, now 36, stated. "That knee was huge, after an injection, it went wrong. The joint became infected due to the wrong needle. My career was over, I couldn't handle that."
Janmaat reflected on the loss of structure after leaving football, noting that his transition to a technical director role at ADO Den Haag exacerbated his difficulties. "I was supposed to get help from everyone and everything, but I was left to fend for myself," he said. "Suddenly, I lost the structure I'd had for years as a footballer. That was difficult, the cocaine addiction gradually crept in. You start lying to the people you love. That's terrible, I hurt a lot of people."
Impact on Personal Life
The addiction had a devastating effect on Janmaat's marriage to his wife Yoshi. "I am still officially married, but we are no longer together," he admitted. "The relationship wasn't going well anyway, but that addiction obviously didn't help. A lot has been damaged, although we are getting on well again." Janmaat, who also played for Heerenveen and Feyenoord during his career, emphasized the broader impact, saying, "I have three children who also hear and read things. I cannot and do not want to mention all the details, but my cocaine addiction has caused a lot of misery."
Recovery and Current Situation
In 2023, Janmaat was reported to have been found under the influence of drugs in Scheveningen, a district of The Hague, leading to his entry into rehabilitation in South Africa. He has since taken steps toward recovery, though he acknowledges the challenges. "It was cocaine, not something else. Not drink either. It can happen to anyone, I think. I never thought I could become addicted," he remarked.
Janmaat made these comments ahead of his appearance in a documentary titled 'Real Men Don't Cry', which features former players like Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar discussing the mental health impacts of elite sports. Currently, Janmaat has opened his own gym and admits he is unlikely to return to a role in football, focusing instead on his health and family.
