Man Utd hero Patrice Evra ‘begged for money outside shops’ as a child because poor family could not afford food
MANCHESTER UNITED hero Patrice Evra has revealed he faced “tough childhood” struggles growing up on the streets of Paris.
The former Red Devils defender opened up about the harsh life he faced long before his illustrious trophy-winning career at Old Trafford.
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Evra admitted he’d sometimes begged for money outside shops in the French capital because of the ‘tough time’ he faced during his youth.
However, the ex-United skipper reckons the hardship he encountered ‘built the man’ he has become today.
On United’s official podcast Evra said: 'I'm not scared to say that I've begged for money in front of shops.
“I've been in front of shops and when I've seen some people I've said, 'Can I have a Euro?' and sometimes they were giving me the money and sometimes not, just because I wanted to buy a sandwich.
I'll be honest with you, it was a tough childhood because I've got many brothers and sisters, so it wasn't easy living in the street.
Patrice Evra
“I was in Paris but living in the streets and sometimes I wasn't even able to have some food.
"I remember my brother Dominique was working at a McDonalds and so I was going there and on his lunch break he was giving me his own food.
“I'll be honest with you, it was a tough childhood because I've got many brothers and sisters, so it wasn't easy living in the street.
“It was a tough time, but a happy time. I was always happy and always felt lucky, I wouldn't change anything, I would keep it that way because it built the man I am.
Some people, when you succeed they just see the end [result], they just see on the TV the superstar, but actually, on the streets, I learned so much and it helped me to be strong.
Patrice Evra
Following those years of struggle, Evra who signed for United for £5.5million in 2006, went on to win five Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Old Trafford’s icon has experienced a few turbulent moments during his glittering football career.
They include his involvement in the French national team’s World Cup 2010 revolt against former Les Bleus boss Raymond Domenech.
However optimistic Evra believes the hard times he endured on Paris’ streets have helped him to be resilient in the face of adversity.
And he hopes to inspire children to ‘never give up no matter what’.
Evra added: 'Some people, when you succeed they just see the end [result], they just see on the TV the superstar, but actually, on the streets, I learned so much and it helped me to be strong.
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“Especially after the World Cup when I was the captain and a lot of people were blaming me but I was still strong because I know on the streets I had tougher times than then, with the press talking about you.'
“I'm not a victim, I'm not feeling sad. I don't want any people to give me much love, because I'm telling those things. I'm just telling my true story.
“I just want to motivate more kids to never give up no matter what will happen. If you believe you're going to become someone, if you walk out, if you believe in yourself, you're going to do it. That's it.”