Juventus’ Patrice Evra will “simply retire” once “my level begins to drop” as Paolo Maldini is “the perfect example” in how to exploit his advancing years.
Evra is 35 and facing increasing competition from Alex Sandro for the role of Juve’s first-choice left-back, but the Frenchman insists he is still enjoying his football and has learned to adapt to his age.
“The Champions League? I’ve played in five finals and won just one of them,” he said in the second part of his UEFA.com interview.
Juventus’ Patrice Evra will “simply retire” once “my level begins to drop” as Paolo Maldini is “the perfect example” in how to exploit his advancing years.
Evra is 35 and facing increasing competition from Alex Sandro for the role of Juve’s first-choice left-back, but the Frenchman insists he is still enjoying his football and has learned to adapt to his age.
“The Champions League? I’ve played in five finals and won just one of them,” he said in the second part of his UEFA.com interview.
“I lost three of them to Barcelona. If it wasn’t Barcelona, I would’ve won four of them. For me, it’s the best competition.
“Even now, I’m 35, but hearing the Champions League anthem is still special. It’s a competition that I’ll always love.
“Buffon deserves the Champions League. To be really honest, my [favourite] goalkeeper is Edwin van der Sar.
“When I arrived here, I knew Gigi Buffon because I watched him on TV, but then to train with him, play with him, wow! What a player!
“The older he is, the better he plays. I think now he makes saves that he didn’t even make when he was 18, so it’s nice to see him in action.
“I’m calmer now than before. I see things much better. When you’re 20, you run, run, run and put in lots of crosses.
“Maybe now I just put in five per game, but one becomes an assist. My sense of position is now also different.
“When you’re young, if you’re in the wrong position, you can make up for it with pace. Now, you always have to be ready to find the right position.
“I remember Ryan Giggs who, at 37, had one of his best seasons. I asked him why and he said: ‘It seems all too easy now.’
“After games, he was never tired. When I was 20, I was very tired after matches, but now I play more with my head and after games I feel good.
“If I wasn’t at Juventus, I don’t know if my level would be so high right now because we have a different way of working compared to what I was used to at Manchester United or with the national team. For this, I’ll always say thanks to Juventus.
“I’m starting to see myself as a bottle of wine. The older I get, the better the taste. But I’m working hard, there’s no secret.
“I work hard even when I’m on holiday. I’m competitive and I always want to work until my legs can no longer do so.
“When I see that my level begins to drop, I’ll simply retire. I’m honest with myself. But at the moment I’m having fun, I like to run. I feel that I’m playing every game as if it were the last.
“My examples are the likes of [Paolo] Maldini and [Javier] Zanetti, who played up to 40 years, Ryan Giggs. They are my examples.
“Sometimes we forget how important experience is. For example, a player like Andrea Pirlo, when he was 20, didn’t read games like he does now.
“Experience is crucial when you play so many games. I think the example of Maldini is the perfect one.
“I don’t think too much about the future, I want to enjoy myself. As I always say, I love this game!”