Former City and Everton striker Jo reveals alcohol battle

Jo: Battle with alcohol

Jo: Battle with alcohol

Former Everton and Man City striker Jo has revealed his battle with alcohol.

The 29-year-old, who has now been sober for two years, was Man City’s record signing when he arrived from CSKA Moscow for £19million in July 2008.

Things did not work out for him at City though and he scored just once for the club before he had two loan spells with Everton between 2009-10 and scored eight goals in 36 appearances.

He left Goodison Park under a cloud after returning to Brazil without permission in 2010 and he never played in England again.

Jo, who was capped 20 times by Brazil, is now playing in the Chinese Super League with Jiangsu Suning and in an interview with Globo he revealed his drink problems while he was in England.

“I put the drink first, because it takes you to other situations,” Jo is quoted as saying.

“For example, I could get a drink here at home, or two, or three, with my wife and friends.

“Then, if I did not play, I began to drink at home. And then I’d go out. [Alcohol] makes you do things you did not want to do.

“After a while you find yourself in a place you do not want to be.

JO city

“I began to drink, drink, drink and I wanted to drink until morning. I went out in the morning and wanted to go to another bar.

“Then later, when I stopped, thought, what am I doing? Where am I? My wife is at home…

“I told her I wouldn’t do it anymore, but after a while, two days, I did it again.

“The parties were not the priority. I liked to drink at home, but it took me to do other things. The drink was the crucial point.

“Today I sleep all night. I’m already two years without a drink. I’m 100% improved.”