Juventus defender Patrice Evra insists he’ll play on for many years, like Paolo Maldini and Javier Zanetti.
The left-back has recently signed a new contract with the Bianconeri, and is representing France at Euro 2016.
In a lengthy interview with Le Parisien, the former Manchester United man was asked whether he expects this to be his last international tournament.
“Not at all,” Evra insisted.
Juventus defender Patrice Evra insists he’ll play on for many years, like Paolo Maldini and Javier Zanetti.
The left-back has recently signed a new contract with the Bianconeri, and is representing France at Euro 2016.
In a lengthy interview with Le Parisien, the former Manchester United man was asked whether he expects this to be his last international tournament.
“Not at all,” Evra insisted.
“I live in the present. To say this is my last competition, no, that’s not true. My examples are Maldini, Zanetti, [Ryan] Giggs – so I’m still young!”
Les Bleus have a side filled with young talent such as Paul Pogba and Kingsley Coman, and Evra was asked whether he feels like the leader.
“Yes, of course. It’s something I’ve always done from a young age. I come from a big family, and although I’m the youngest I have always been someone important, though I know my place.
“I really want to protect them all, because I have more experience. In difficult times I want to say ‘I’m here, if someone has to take it then it’s me, not you’.
“I’ll continue that role until the end of my career.
“We can talk about the past. In 2010 [at the World Cup] I always said that I would take responsibility for everything.
“Even when there were the problems with [Karim] Benzema and [Mathieu] Valbuena, I was willing to take any blow for the players.
“What matters to me is winnning, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. This isn’t war, if they shoot at me it doesn’t bother me at all.
“I’ve started doing meditation since the last World Cup in 2014. That helped me a lot. I see things differently, I see people differently.
“People will laugh, but now when I see a tree, I see life. I see the present, I put the past and the future to one side. I don’t want to live in regret or fear.
“Do I still feel like France captain? All the time. The armband was taken from me, but that won’t stop me doing my job. In my mind, I still have the armband, so it’s not a problem. It's not official, but hey…
“Of course, the captain is Hugo [Lloris] and he’s not doing anything wrong.
“Am I misunderstood? People don’t know me, but I’m not looking for hugs or recognition. I want to win something with my country, to give them that.
“I’ve won everything at club level, I’m on a mission. I’m not going to conquer anything for myself. I see now that they [the fans] applaud me. Thanks, but it’s not what I want. But thanks all the same.
“When you grow up in a large family, the notion of sharing, of reaching out to others comes naturally.
“I come from Ulis [a suburb of Paris] and it’s not an easy neighbourhood. Maybe without that I wouldn’t have bounced back every time.
“Maybe after the 2010 World Cup, when people had killed me, buried me already, I wouldn’t have had the character to win.
“My past has helped me to become the man I am. I regret nothing, and I never spit on my past.
“It’s all in the head, you can have the technique of Ronaldo but without the mentality you’re not going to go anywhere.
“My strength is that I always question myself. I have that humility, I want to prove myself in every game. It will be very difficult to bring me down, because my mentality is strong.
“It’s my character I owe my career to. My wife told me that I come across like a robot. It’s like that, I’m a machine. For now I can’t enjoy my career.
“My goal isn’t to be the best player, it’s to be the best human being. I want to open myself up, to discover new things. Kicking a ball isn’t enough for that.
“Before dying, if I asked myself what I’d done, I wouldn’t want to be limited to that. I’ve learned about others, I have two orphanages in Senegal, with more than 300 children there.
“Those are my real trophies, not winning Leagues or Champions Leagues.”
The 35-year-old was then asked if the current French side can go all the way and lift the trophy in Paris next month.
“It’s a better group compared to other generations that I’ve experienced,” Evra confirmed.
“This group needs more guidance, there’s less ego. That has always been the strength of groups put together by Didier Deschamps: the team is the star.
“Some of the elder statesmen are bitter and will try to put a spoke in the wheels of young players who have taken their place. I’ve won too much in my life to be bitter.
“Am I surprised by the youth of the team? That doesn’t surprises me, what I want is for them to win me the Euros!
“I put pressure on them, you have to be careful when they’re young. Things [you say] can get inflamed in the media. I’m here to guide them, not to admire them.
“If we win the Euro, then I’ll tell them: ‘you are the best’.
“Since the Ukraine game, I’ve felt a pride that wasn’t there before. The pride of playing for our people, playing for all the French. I’m not ashamed to say it.
“We did a lot of interviews before the call-ups and I said I was proud to wear this shirt. These are fine words, but to actually physically feel it is something else.
“When you wear this shirt anywhere, regardless of the competition, you have to give the best of yourself.
“I’m not going to sell dreams to the French people, but we’re in the best condition. I don’t know if France has ever been in such good condition at the start of a competition.
“What interests me is becoming a nation which wins. Knysna [in 2010] left scars. That will never change. Even if we win the Euros, it’ll be the same.
“That’s history, and you can’t change the past. Talking about it today is a waste of time. If we win the Euros, it’d bring us closer to the legend of those who won in 1998 and 2000.”