No matter what he does in life, Benoit Assou-Ekotto will always be the man who hates being a football player. The former Spurs fullback is nothing if not honest when it comes to his passion for the game, or lack thereof. A couple of years ago, the now 31 year old really made a name for himself when he stated that he had no real passion for football. Instead, he was simply in the game for the money.
That may sound like a negative but it was a refreshing change of pace when it comes to the PR massaging exercise that surrounds most football players. Nonetheless, Benoit Assou-Ekotto was from that point known as the footballer who hates football and it's a role that you have to think he's not exactly adverse to.
Now playing with Saint-Étienne, the Cameroon international has once again caused something of a stir during and interview that he gave to Canal+ this week. Asked why he has chosen to forego the usually lucrative boot sponsorship that most players would sign up for, Assou-Ekotto delivered a typically blunt response.
I'd rather be free than to prostitute myself for a sponsor. In all honesty, when you're an African player, it's not that interesting to have a sponsor. When you're European, it's better because business is done in Europe.
He's already spoken about the fact that he's in football to make money and little else so if he's not going to bother with the sponsorship, what does he do for a pair of boots?
I buy shoes for €30. It's a good price for comfortable boots. You can find them on Ebay, and they're not expensive. Being fashionable is expensive, but you're more distinguished to be vintage.
'You're more distinguished to be vintage', the man is a true hero of the game.
