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Former football star’s life collapses: “I had money and drove a BMW, now I’m homeless”

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Regis Pitbull, once a Brazilian football player for clubs including Corinthians and Vasco da Gama, now lives homeless on the streets of São Paulo at age 49.
  • He says debt, unpaid taxes and a court case involving a property have left him without a home, while he continues to struggle with crack addiction.
  • Some fans and former teammates still help him with meals and other support.

“It’s best if everyone thinks I’m dead. I don’t want people to know that I exist,” Regis Pitbull told Brazilian media. Once a familiar name in Brazilian football, he now lives homeless on the streets of São Paulo at 49.

Pitbull played for 13 clubs during his career, including Corinthians and Vasco da Gama, and also appeared in Turkey, Portugal and South Korea. He ended his career in 2013. Years of severe crack addiction have since transformed his life.

It’s best if everyone thinks I’m dead. I don’t want people to know that I exist.

· Regis PitbullHe describes his desire to remain hidden while living homeless and battling addiction.

He lost his home because of debts and unpaid taxes. He still owns a property, but cannot enter it while court proceedings continue. Last year, police arrested him after he attacked the building manager.

I’m still a huge Corinthians fan, so people remember me fondly.

· Regis PitbullHe explains why some Corinthians supporters continue to remember and help him.

Some fans and former teammates continue to offer help, occasionally paying for a meal or assisting him in other ways. “I’m still a huge Corinthians fan, so people remember me fondly,” he said.

Pitbull also recalled the life he once had. “I used to drive a BMW and own a truck. I ate fine steaks... I had money. Today, it’s crazy even to imagine such a life.” He had addiction-related problems during his career as well, testing positive for marijuana twice and receiving suspensions. After retiring, he began using substantially more dangerous substances.

I used to drive a BMW and own a truck. I ate fine steaks... I had money. Today, it’s crazy even to imagine such a life.

· Regis PitbullHe contrasts his former financial security with his current circumstances.
About this summary

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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