Super Mario gave an interview in his native Brazil over the weekend, pouring out his heart and claiming that the most beautiful thing in the world is to recognise one’s mistakes.

The striker who failed to find either fitness or the net for Gary van Egmond’s men last season is now looking for a fresh challenge with a new club.

He was once one of world football’s top strikers and crashed in more than 160 goals for FC Porto in the nineties.

A move to Turkish giants Galatasary followed before he returned for a second, less successful spell in Portugal.

Jardel was released from Sporting before the 2003/4 season and has had spells at eight different clubs, most recently the Jets.

He told Globoesports: “It all started with bad friendships. Then came my divorce, depression and drugs.

“Today, I want to start over. I am training, but I am no example to any child.

“Don't do what I did, because it's no example, I am starting over and acknowledging my mistakes, I want to win from now on.

“I only consumed one drug, cocaine, but not while I was playing: I only took it during vacations.

“I am seeking a new club to reignite my career, because I have the quality and the potential.

“My biggest dream is to return to the fields with a big team.

“When I went to some smaller teams, how could I score if there were no players that could put the ball in my feet? It all got worse and the problems snowballed.

“I will only play again if it is for a big team, like Grêmio or Vasco da Gama. I would like to return to one of these two clubs and prove that I can do it.”