‘I was showing that I was happy but inside I was definitely losing the battle’: Dele Alli breaks down in tears, reveals he was sexually abused at six

Dele Alli broke down in tears and revealed that he considered retiring from football at the age of 24 in an emotionally charged interview with former Man United legend Gary Neville.

Alli, who got the chance to rejuvenate his flagging career at Everton after joining the Merseyside club in a deadline day last season, also recalled the traumatic events of his childhood and said that he was molested at the age of six and began dealing drugs at eight, was later adopted at the age of 12.

“It’s something I haven’t spoken about much but there were a few incidents that can give you a brief understanding,” the 27-year-old said on an episode of Neville’s The Overlap.

“At six I was molested by my mum’s friend who was at the house a lot, my mum was an alcoholic,” he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

“I was sent to Africa to learn discipline, and then I was sent back. Seven I began smoking and eight I began dealing drugs,” he said before adding, “An older person told me they wouldn’t stop a kid on a bike so I’d ride around with my football and underneath I’d have the drugs.

I’m struggling to find the words to put with this post but please watch my most recent interview with Dele. It’s the most emotional, difficult yet inspirational conversation I’ve ever had in my life. Watch the interview on @wearetheoverlap here https://t.co/60d4IZwQmR pic.twitter.com/0cZowJGW77

— Gary Neville (@GNev2) July 13, 2023

“11 I was hung off a bridge by a man from the next estate, and at 12 I was adopted.

“I was adopted by an amazing family and I couldn’t have asked for better people, they’ve helped me a lot.”

Alli also admitted to using ‘drugs and alcohol’ and said, “With our schedule when you have to wake up to train early and can’t sleep with all