Ex-Liverpool defender bankrupt after gambling addiction

Former Liverpool defender Dominic Matteo has spoken out about his battle with gambling addiction, which led him to bankruptcy. Matteo, who also played for Scotland and Leeds United, revealed he once placed a $250k (€229,525) bet on a horse race and eventually owed over $1 million (€917,900).

Matteo (photo above) is now working with the gambling harm prevention organisation EPIC Global Solutions to raise awareness of the dangers of gambling addiction. He will share his experiences with players and staff from the EFL, Scottish Premiership, and Premiership Rugby clubs.

His gambling problems worsened after his playing career started to decline, he said and carried on to describe his free time after leaving the club as a ‘breeding ground’ for his addiction. He admitted that his gambling not only affected him financially but also put a strain on his relationship with his wife. Family support plays a pivotal role in overcoming addiction.

“When EPIC approached me about telling my story,
I broke down because it’s such an emotive topic. I’m looking forward to getting on a stage and telling my story.”

– Dominic Matteo, survivor of gambling addiction

Matteo has successfully quit gambling, attributing this achievement to the steadfast support of his wife, Jessica. Following surgery to remove a brain tumour, he has embarked on the challenging journey of relearning how to read, write, and speak. Despite the challenges, Matteo is in a positive place and is committed to raise awareness and offer support to those struggling with similar issues. He is using his story to help others avoid the pitfalls of gambling addiction.

Joel Matip on leaving Liverpool

In related Liverpool news, Joel Matip, (pictured on the left), a free agent and centre-back, is nearing a move to Bayer Leverkusen. Conversations between the 32-year-old and the reigning Bundesliga champions are reportedly progressing, with the potential for a deal to be sealed as early as next week. Matip left Liverpool at the end of June after his contract expired. Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso sees him as a valuable addition to his squad, especially with his experience. Several clubs have approached Matip this summer, but Leverkusen appears to be the frontrunner.

A return to Germany seems likely for Matip, who spent his youth developing his career at Schalke. There’s even a chance he could join Leverkusen’s pre-season training camp later this month.

This is a positive development for Matip, who remains a quality defender despite his injury struggles last season. While his former manager, Jurgen Klopp, initially wanted him to stay at Liverpool, Matip is now set to continue his career in the Champions League with another top club.

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