MURPHY: I fear more will face financial ruin just like Bellamy

It is awful to hear about a footballer hitting the financial rocks. The saddest part is it's no longer surprising.

My heart goes out to Craig Bellamy because this has happened to many before him, and I fear will continue to do so.

Hopefully, disclosing his struggles will bring Craig a sense of relief. For all the clickbait opinions, 'How can guys who earn millions be bankrupt?', there will be understanding from his peers.

I've told my story in these pages before. I spiralled into depression a few years after hanging up my boots. Different factors were involved, including a financial mess.

Mercifully, Craig has never been tempted by drink or drugs like I was, but seeing your money disappear - whether through bad advice or simply being ripped off - brings its own stresses and strains.

Burnley assistant Craig Bellamy exclusively told Sportsmail about his fight against bankruptcy

Mail on Sunday columnist Danny Murphy (pictured): Financial abuse is one of the great scandals of the Premier League era

Football is a way of life for most professionals from the age of five through to your mid-30s. The game is all-consuming, so we trust and rely on others to manage the wealth that comes with it.

Financial abuse is one of the great scandals of the Premier League era and is under-reported because it's not as glamorous a story as substance abuse by players or running off with girls.

But it's definitely there. 

Players don't think about money when they are collecting big wages and it's a huge shock to finish and find the investments you'd set up for the rest of your life have disappeared.

Footballers are not thick but why should being skilful and athletic give you expertise in complex monetary affairs? 

Bellamy (right) has no house, no car or mortgage after losing everything, with his financial ruin the result of a series of failed investments made on his behalf on a number of properties

Bellamy played for clubs including Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle during his career

We're working-class guys who are seduced into trusting an industry of smart suits, glossy brochures and impressive company names.

It works for some because there are good financial advisers out there. But others get caught out.

Like many players, I was involved in film schemes that were sold to us as tax relief. It turned into litigation and police enquiries which is not good for mental health when you're already desperately missing the game you love.

I have many friends and ex-Premier League players who became bankrupt. Bravo to Craig for telling his story. You are not alone.

Footballers who blew their fortune

Diego Maradona 

Argentine legend filed for bankruptcy in 2009 after Italian authorities demanded payment of £42m in unpaid taxed from his time with Napoli between 1984 and 1991.

Paul Gascoigne

England's troubled star avoided bankruptcy in 2011 by agreeing a five-year payment plan with the HMRC over a £42,000 tax bill. He settled the debt by the deadline 

Ronaldinho

Brazil's World Cup winner had his passport confiscated in 2019 over unpaid taxes and state fines. He was reported to have had the equivalent of £5 in his bank account