Manchester United legend Evra tells Nigerian media why he chose France over Senegal
Published: April 01, 2022Manchester United legend Patrice Evra was recently in Nigeria for a chess initiative and despite his busy schedule, visited some media houses where he held interviews and talked about his playing career.
Apart from the Red Devils, Evra represented other top clubs in Europe including Juventus, Monaco and Marseille.
The left-back played 379 games for United, between 2006 and 2014, and won the Premier League five times, the League Cup on three occasions, FIFA Club World Cup and Champions League during his time at Old Trafford.
Born in Dakar, Evra was eligible to represent his country of birth, Senegal, Guinea through his father, Cape Verde through his mother and France where he grew up but opted to represent the European giants internationally.
One of the questions posed to him was about the France national team winning the World Cup in 2018 and some people said the squad was not French enough, with the likes of N'Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe, Samuel Umtiti, Blaise Matuidi, Steven Nzonzi, Steve Mandanda, Adil Rami, Nabil Fekir, Djibril Sidibé and Benjami Mendy of African descent.
Evra told Arise News' The Morning Show : "That's why I said to all the footballers to pick carefully their national team.
"I was born in Senegal. I could play for Senegal or France, I spoke with my parents.
"I grew up in France, my choice was natural to play for France because you just think about playing with the big players but actually it's just politics.
"Like you said when you win with France you are a French player, when you lose suddenly you get your Senegalese passport, so that's why when you make your decision you have to be really careful on all of that."
"I was born in Senegal. I could play for Senegal or France, I spoke with my parents.
"I grew up in France, my choice was natural to play for France because you just think about playing with the big players but actually it's just politics.
"Like you said when you win with France you are a French player, when you lose suddenly you get your Senegalese passport, so that's why when you make your decision you have to be really careful on all of that."
Evra made 81 appearances for the French national team and represented them in Euro 2008, 2012 and 2016 plus the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, going the distance against the Super Eagles in a round of sixteen clash in the latter.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : fff.fr
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
Latest News
- 5 goals, 6 assists: Ndidi takes his goal involvement to 11 as Leicester City beat West Brom
- Asemota saves another penalty; Obi-Martin breaks club record as Arsenal U18s beat Aston Villa
- Introducing Princess Ademiluyi: The Super Falcons-eligible forward who made West Ham debut at 16
- Wrexham face PL, Championship competition for Arsenal-owned League Two best GK Okonkwo
- Nelson Semedo out: Son of 2003 African Games star, Okoduwa in line to make PL history v Arsenal
- Super Falcons-eligible midfielder left out of Chelsea's squad to face Barcelona despite training with first team
- West Ham, Crystal Palace ready to challenge Serie A giants Juventus for Leicester ace Ndidi
- 2024 Super Eagles invitee attracting interest from Tottenham, Fulham and Aston Villa
- 'Simply phenomenal' - Nigeria legend Sunday Oliseh names the best coach in the world
- Manu Garba impressed with Golden Eaglets midfield pre-U17 WAFU B, identifies three positions to fortify
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football