Patrice Evra opens up about 'reward' kids felt cleaning Cristiano Ronaldo's boots
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Senior football stars used to get their boots cleaned by youth players.
In his reflections on his time at Manchester United, Patrice Evra has acknowledged that today’s youth might view boot cleaning as a kind of “slavery.”
The chance to ensure that Cristiano Ronaldo walked the field in dazzling shoes was a “reward” during Evra’s tenure at Old Trafford. Quickly, things have changed, and now Cristiano Ronaldo is responsible for planning his own cleansing.
Youth team members were required to care for first-team players for many generations. This required them to clean seniors’ boots after playing on muddy fields. They were given an early taste of the commitment needed to succeed and would receive bonuses at Christmas.
These days, Academy stars can sign rich contracts, have their own boot deals, and have their every need met in opulent facilities that make youngsters feel like seasoned pros before a senior bow has been made.
Patrice Evra opens up about young players’ commitment towards senior stars
Evra does not feel that the aforementioned modifications are beneficial. He described to The Telegraph how Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary tenure at Old Trafford shaped the stars of tomorrow:
“Back in the day the kids cleaned our boots – but it was like a reward. Oh my god, I am cleaning the boots of Ronaldo or [Roy] Keane or [Ryan] Giggsy. If you do this today the kids will maybe call it slavery.
“It is not their fault it is because we give them everything. It is different education, different parents. In the past we learned the tough way and that is what we know and that is where we perform the best.”
Patrice Evra is now watching from a distance as Cristiano Ronaldo, a former teammate, continues his record-breaking playing career at 41. After going on strike in the Saudi Pro League, the Portuguese legend’s departure from Al-Nassr has been rumoured. Meanwhile, the enduring forward is still aiming for 1,000 goals in his career.
Why did young stars use to clean senior players’ boots earlier?
To get tough treatment and demonstrate their commitment towards the game.
Do young players still clean senior stars’ boots?
Not anymore.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.