‘I went from Euros hero to a football streaker after joining a cult’: Former Denmark star opens up on his battle with depression in new autobiography

A former European Championship winner has opened up about his battle with depression after quitting football and joining a cult.

The former footballer enjoyed 12 years of active football playing for Randers, Brondby and Odense in his native Denmark, as well as Feyenoord and Luton Town.

In 1993 he decided to retire from football, a year after unexpectedly winning the 1992 European Championship with Denmark. This led to him suffering from depression and struggling to come to terms with the end of his career.

In his new autobiography The Unlucky HeroLars Elstrup, 61, told how his depression became so bad that he could no longer shower.

“At one point, grass came out of the shower drain,” he claimed.

Elstrup (pictured) was part of the Danish squad that caused a major upset by winning the 1992 European Championship

Elstrup scored in the group stage and converted his penalty in the semi-final shootout to derail Denmark’s chances

He also stated that his life spiraled out of control over a 15-year period, joining a cult, changing his name to Darando after meeting an Indian guru, getting arrested, and running naked onto the pitch during a Danish league match in 2016.

Elstrup disrupted the match between Randers and Silkeborg by entering the field naked.

After seeing the performance of the club’s former player, Randers chairman Michael Gravgaard said: “It’s very sad to see him like this, he’s one of the heroes of this city.”

Elstrup confirmed his status as a national hero by playing a key role in Denmark’s stunning European Championship victory 32 years ago.

He played two matches at the tournament, scoring the winning goal in the 2–1 group stage win over France and then converting his penalty in the semi-final shoot-out win over the Netherlands.

Elstrup was an unused substitute in the final as Denmark beat Germany 2-0. In his autobiography, he admitted he was glad he hadn’t played because he was afraid of failing.

“It all started two days before the final. Up until then I was really looking forward to playing in the four previous games, even being in the starting line-up,” he wrote.

Elstrup has spoken openly about his battle with depression in his new autobiography and has admitted that he did not want to play in the 1992 European Championship final because of the fear of failure.

‘But something changed and I absolutely didn’t want to play in the final… I was afraid of failing.’

Denmark’s victory in 1992 is one of the biggest international upsets in football, and Elstrup played a major role in their success.

He has been through some tough times since then, but he now believes he has been on the right track in recent years.

“I am stronger than ever,” he stressed in his new book.

‘I have divided my life into phases and this last phase has been going on for over two years now.’