LARS ELSTRUP was able to overcome his battle with depression, during which he streaked at a football match.
The former footballer won the Euros in 1992 as he helped Denmark claim their first major tournament win.
Elstrup, 61, starred in the tournament as he scored the winning goal against France in the group stage.
He also converted in the shootout win over Holland in the semi-final.
However, he spent the entire final on the bench hoping not to be called upon by manager Richard Moller Nielsen.
This was down to his depression making him scared of “being a failure.”
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He wrote in his autobiography: “It all started two days before the final.
“Up until then I was really looking forward to playing in the four previous matches, even being in the starting line-up.
“But something changed and there was no way I wanted to play in the final, I was afraid of being a failure.”
He retired from football a year after the Euro success after having a career playing for the likes of Luton Town, Randers Fleja, Brondby, Feyenoord and Odense.
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After hanging up his boots, he struggled for 15 years with depression.
He has admitted that, at points, he has “grass coming out of the shower drain”, joining a cult and finding an Indian guru.
He also changed his name to Darando and was arrested for stripping naked and streaking during a Danish Superliga match.
Michael Gravgaard, president of Randers, witnessed Elstrup’s stripping streaking and confessed that it was “very sad”.
However, since 2022, Elstrup has managed to overcome his mental health battles.
He said: “I am stronger than ever.
“I divided my life into phases and this last phase has now lasted for more than two years.”
Who is Euro 2024’s sexiest star?
EURO 2024 has something for everyone from stunning goals, thrilling matches… and the continent’s biggest hunks, writes Jack Figg.
Several stars have lit up the group stages with their skills on the pitch – but others are also catching the eye for their looks.
But who is the sexiest?
Thankfully AI boffins have carried out an analysis on the facial attractiveness of all players at the tournament.
And it’s bad news for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions who are the fourth UGLIEST in the competition – one place below Scotland.
In fact it’s England’s group rivals Serbia who have fans swooning the most – boasting an average score of 77.90/100 with defender Strahinja Pavlovic deemed their most attractive.
While Turkey defender Mert Muldur has been ranked as the tournament’s BEST-LOOKING player.
But who is England’s sexiest star, and who makes the Euros’ hunkiest XI? Read our full story.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
