Ex-Arsenal ace admits ‘I did not give a f***’ about taking part in after transferring to Spain
Former Arsenal star Alex Song confessed that his transfer to Barcelona in 2012 was motivated by cash – and he did not care about not getting a lot taking part in time on the Nou Camp.
During an Instagram Live chat with Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors in 2020, by way of the Mirror, he stated: “Most footballers reside past their means. I used to be at Arsenal for eight years however solely started to earn a great dwelling within the final 4.
“That was as a result of my wage went up so much but additionally as a result of I got here to understand what a waster I used to be.” He reminisced about his early days at Arsenal, saying: “When I first joined them I used to be getting £15,000 every week. I used to be a younger lad, and I used to be ecstatic.”
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He additionally shared his want to emulate Thierry Henry’s way of life, including: “I’d go to coaching and see Thierry Henry the King flip up in an absolute gem of a automotive. I informed myself I needed the identical automotive in any respect prices.
“But I swear that I had to hand the car back inside two months. All my money was going on filling it with petrol. I told them, ‘Give me a Toyota this car’s too much for me’.
“When I subsequent went to coaching Thierry requested me, ‘Where’s your automotive, son?’ I informed him it is on a better stage than me. During my complete time at Arsenal I could not even save £100,000, whereas individuals thought I have to be a millionaire.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Despite figuring out he would not get many video games, Song says the supply from Barcelona was just too good to move up. “When Barcelona offered me a contract and I saw how much I would earn, I didn’t think twice,” he revealed. “I felt my wife and children should have comfortable lives once my career is over.
“I met Barca’s sporting director, and he informed me I’d not get to play many video games. But I did not give a f*** I knew that now I’d turn out to be a millionaire. I’ll all the time say {that a} 20-year-old who drives a Ferrari is a poor man, as at that age he isn’t but achieved something. But a person of fifty who drives a Bentley is a person to be revered.”
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After donning the blaugrana colors for 2 seasons with 65 appearances, Song was loaned out to West Ham for 2 seasons. Song then waved goodbye to the Nou Camp for the final time in 2016, transferring to Russian aspect Rubin Kazan. The 36-year-old introduced his retirement from skilled soccer on November 14, 2023 after making 332 senior membership appearances in his profession and taking part in 49 occasions at worldwide stage for Cameroon.
* This article was crafted with the assistance of an AI instrument, which hastens Daily Star’s editorial analysis. An editor reviewed this content material earlier than it was printed. You can report any errors to [email protected]
