Cicinho, the Brazilian defender who played for AS Roma from 2007 to 2010, has opened up about his struggle with alcohol addiction during and after his time at the club. In an interview, he revealed that his drinking problem escalated significantly when he moved to Botafogo in 2001, consuming up to 20 beers and 10 caipirinhas daily. He managed to hide the issue for years, arriving at training hungover and using coffee and cigarettes to mask the smell. Despite the severity of his condition, even coach Capello did not suspect anything.
Cicinho credits his transfer to Roma in 2007 to Doni, who arranged a video call with Francesco Totti that convinced him to join. Initially, he regulated his behaviour under coach Spalletti, but after suffering a knee injury in 2009, his drinking worsened alongside depression. Bruno Conti, the Roma legend, played a crucial role in trying to help him, regularly speaking to him with affection about reducing partying and increasing focus on training. Cicinho expressed deep attachment to Roma, saying he hopes his five-year-old son Emanuel will one day play for the club.
Today, at 33 years old and sober for 14 years, Cicinho works as an evangelical pastor and television pundit. He has reflected on a moment during his Roma days when Rosella Sensi entered the dressing room angry after a defeat and accused the team of lacking character, leading to tension with Gabriel Heinze over captaincy dynamics.
Testo Originale / Source Text
“Le parole del brasiliano: "A Roma sono legatissimo. Spero che mio figlio possa giocarci un giorno. Oggi sono un pastore" Redazione 16 maggio - 10:33 Di Bruno non ce n'è più neanche uno Cicinho si è raccontato in una lunga intervista a La Gazzetta dello Sport, in cui ha ripercorso i passi della sua…”
Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.
