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Dele Alli is once again at a crossroads. The former prodigy is said to be contemplating a drastic step.
Dele Alli was only granted ten minutes. The long-awaited appearance, which was supposed to mark a fresh start, turned into another setback. And perhaps the sending-off, which the former prodigy received in March during his debut for Como 1907, was even a final farewell.
Alli is now said to be considering ending his professional career. According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, his first and only game for Como could also be his last.
Dele Alli will probably not play another game for Como
After the disastrous premiere in the spring, the Englishman did not play another game. He was in the squad a few times, but now he has been practically sorted out by coach Cesc Fàbregas. The highly talented player currently finds himself alone on the training ground again – once again trapped in sporting insignificance.
While Como has upgraded in attacking midfield with Croatian youngster Martin Baturina for 22 million euros and already includes the Spanish jewel Nico Paz in the squad, it is not even enough for Alli to participate in team training – even though he is still tied to the club until 2026.
Alone, Alli has probably felt that way often, especially off the pitch. His sporting decline is probably only a symptom of a human tragedy that began in the childhood of the former international player.
“At the age of six, I was abused by a friend of my mother, who was an alcoholic,” Alli publicly stated in an interview about two years ago. He told his story in tears at the time.
“Then I was sent to Africa to learn discipline and sent back again. At seven I started smoking, at eight I was dealing drugs,” he reported. Even at a young age, he had to endure death threats: “At eleven, I was hung from a bridge by a man from the neighborhood.”
About a year later, he was adopted by a wonderful family. They saved his life, even though he couldn’t really open up to them.
Football was the next anchor in the life of the young Alli, but he couldn’t completely leave the problems of the past behind.
When he finally turned professional at 16, “everything took its course.” In the eyes of the public, he had won the fight, but “internally I lost the fight.”
Alli took the step into the limelight at Tottenham Hotspur. He played for the English first division club for seven years. Initially with great success. As an attacking midfielder, he combined technique with playful finesse. He was difficult to grasp between the lines, always dangerous.
Alli was a young star on his way to the top: At the tender age of 19, he was called up to the Three Lions for the first time.
Not even five years later, he was already seriously considering a final farewell: “I remember looking in the mirror and asking myself if I could retire now. At 24 years old.”
The sporting highlights became less frequent. Coach José Mourinho called him “lazy.” And the then-unknown inner struggle of the young man raged on unabated. Alli resorted to alcohol and sleeping pills.
After leaving Tottenham, he moved to FC Everton, and after half a year he was transferred on loan to Besiktas. In Turkey, he visited a “rehabilitation facility for mental health, addiction and trauma.”
As he himself stated at the time, he had shed some of the emotional baggage. With his step into the public eye, he also wanted to help and encourage other people.
The admirable approach did not lead to a footballing upswing. He was not needed at Besiktas, and from the summer of 2024 he was without a club for half a year. Until Como knocked and gave him a chance.
After months of working to get back in shape, Alli was given ten minutes.