Imagine trading your dreams of football stardom for a prison cell. That’s the reality for Ronnie Stam, a former Premier League star, who has just been sentenced to seven years behind bars for his involvement in a massive drug smuggling operation.

The one-time Wigan Athletic defender, celebrated for winning the FA Cup in 2013, found himself embroiled in a sinister plot to import a staggering 700 kilograms of cocaine from Chile to the Netherlands. This wasn’t just a momentary lapse in judgment; a court ruled that he played a “determining and coordinating role” in the operation, showcasing how far he strayed from the world of sports.

Stam, who once shared the pitch with legends and celebrated a Dutch title with FC Twente under ex-England boss Steve McClaren, was deeply entrenched in this criminal enterprise. His communications with the shipment’s owner in Dubai indicated the drugs were initially meant to arrive in Rotterdam, only to be intercepted in Chile. This was a far cry from the football fields that once defined his career.

On June 10 of last year, a judge condemned Stam, stating, “They were only concerned with making large amounts of money.” This statement encapsulates the hubris behind his actions and the motivations driving those involved in drug trafficking.

While the prosecution sought a hefty 13-year sentence, Stam was ultimately convicted of smuggling 724 kilograms of cocaine, along with additional charges related to MDMA and possession of nitrous oxide. In his defense, he confessed to involvement in a separate plan to transport 20 kilograms of cocaine to Frankfurt from Brazil, claiming this was the extent of his criminal activity. Yet, he still expressed regret over his associations with the criminal world.

Once a promising athlete, Stam hung up his boots in 2016, transitioning from the glory of the pitch to a life of crime. Now, as part of his sentencing, he faces a €30,000 fine and must repay around €1.7 million in criminal proceeds. How did it all go so wrong for a man who once basked in the limelight?

Stam’s football journey began in the Feyenoord academy, leading him back to his boyhood club NAC Breda in 2002. His career flourished at FC Twente, where he celebrated the Eredivisie title in 2010. Moving to Wigan in 2013, he made 73 appearances, contributing to their historic FA Cup run, though he did not play in the final. His career also included stints at Standard Liège and another return to NAC Breda, but injuries curtailed his playing days.

Having capped once for the Netherlands and made 358 senior appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing 26 assists, it’s shocking to see how a career built on talent could take such a dark turn. Ronnie Stam’s story serves as a grim reminder of how quickly fame and fortune can vanish, leaving behind a legacy riddled with regret.