Whenever I see a footballer covered in tattoos I think there is someone who neither values his time nor money, same goes for the addictions mentioned above. Top footballers live in a gilded cage and I was pleased to see Matta of Man Utd speak out recently on that very subject saying that they did not live in the real world.
Whilst having sympathy for anyone who is ill, mentally or otherwise, the people living under real pressure are those single parents who through death, divorce or illness find themselves having to bring up a young family whilst holding down a job to put food on the table, the majority just don't have the money or time to indulge in addictions. Perhaps those self centred, self loving footballers could contribute their tattoo money to these heroes for whom each day is a struggle.
If you think I'm being harsh on footballers how many contributed to the " Thank you Jean Marc Bosman" fund after his trade union wrote to the players of the top 400 clubs asking them to donate their bonus money from ONE match, which was going to be used to help young footballers who failed to make the grade and ended up on the street. Answers on a very small postcard.