Many footballers make a lot of money and spend it buying fast cars and mansions. Funny they say their football does the talking, and stay years in a country without being able to speak the native language. All they have is money, their personal lives don’t improve.
There had been talks in the media about how footballers should be role models for the young people who idolize them, and Nicolas Anelka thinks he’s tried his best living well enough to be one.
He is one of the most travelled footballers in history. He doesn’t just play football in those several clubs he’s been to, or travel the city for sight-seeing; he also learns the native language. He has played in France, Turkey, England, Spain, and now, China. He also speaks three languages.
French footballer, Nicolas Anelka speaks on his life and success on and off the pitch and reacts to some people’s view of him in the following quotes from BBC broadcaster Oluwashina Okeleji’s Twitter Timeline.
“I speak English, French, Spanish, and now I’m learning Chinese. I can make myself understood anywhere in the world,” Anelka says.
And to everyone who hates him, Anelka had this to say; “To all those who talk about me and dislike me without even knowing me: The feeling is mutual”
“Over 65 million people in France think they know football and preach to footballers in the belief that all they can do is kick a ball. But they cross the Channel, they can’t string three words together in English.”
“Worry about your salary and I’ll worry about mine. Everyone has their worth. I’ve worked very hard for a long time to earn that money.”
“My track record is there to remind those who have forgotten. Not all of that money has been spent buying cars and luxury handbags.”
Anelka currently plays for Shanghai Shenhua football club in China and also works as Assistant Manager in the same club.
