A Confession That Stuns the Football World

Patrice Evra has shaken the sport with a revelation few expected. The former Manchester United and France defender admitted he once consumed up to 38 pills per day at the height of his career, masking pain just to stay on the pitch. His testimony emerged as he announced his new role as investor and ambassador for KURK, a natural anti-inflammatory supplement he believes could help young players avoid the cycle he fell into.

Evra explained that after nearly two decades at the top level, his body lived in a constant state of strain. He rarely felt fully fit and often played through injury, relying on medication as a routine part of survival in elite football. His confession aims to spark an urgent conversation about a growing problem in the sport: the hidden dependence on painkillers.

A Widespread Issue: The Hidden Cost of Playing Through Pain

Evra’s story is far from isolated. Several former players have spoken openly about painkiller addiction and overuse in football. Chris Kirkland, ex-Liverpool goalkeeper, revealed his battle with Tramadol addiction. Ivan Klasnic won a lawsuit after a club repeatedly prescribed him medication despite kidney complications. Daniel Agger recently confessed to long-term back problems caused by years of playing through pain.

Evra’s voice adds even more weight. Despite playing over 725 professional matches and maintaining remarkable consistency, his durability came at a high personal cost—one that remained invisible to the public until now.

Evra’s New Mission: Protecting the Next Generation

At 44, Evra has shifted his focus to education and prevention. His goal is clear: warn young footballers about the dangers of normalizing pain and becoming dependent on medication to compete. His partnership with KURK reflects that mission, promoting natural recovery methods and pushing for a healthier approach to player wellness.

KURK co-founder Trent Scanlen welcomed Evra’s involvement, noting that “he lived the physical toll of elite sport,” making his voice especially powerful in advocating for change. As more former professionals speak out, pressure is mounting on clubs and governing bodies to reform pain management practices and protect athletes long term.