Patrice Evra discussed racism in Serie A and the Premier League, along with why Paul Pogba “felt loved” at Juventus, but not Manchester United.
The Frenchman announced his retirement this summer and spoke to the Mail on Sunday about his good friend Pogba, who has been linked with moves to Real Madrid or Juve.
“I don't know what Paul's future holds. I do know that he felt really loved in Juventus. He doesn't feel that love in Manchester.
Patrice Evra discussed racism in Serie A and the Premier League, along with why Paul Pogba “felt loved” at Juventus, but not Manchester United.
The Frenchman announced his retirement this summer and spoke to the Mail on Sunday about his good friend Pogba, who has been linked with moves to Real Madrid or Juve.
“I don't know what Paul's future holds. I do know that he felt really loved in Juventus. He doesn't feel that love in Manchester.
“We always forget what a player is about. A player is about performing on the pitch. So kill him when he is not playing well, but if he is playing well, concentrate on that.
“When you buy nice cars and a big house, you will create hate and jealousy so you have to step up your game and make sure it doesn't affect you. That's why I say to Paul, ‘Do whatever you want but if you see it affects your game, stop. Don't try to be like a warrior. Stop.’”
Evra also insisted the issue of racism is no different in Serie A to the Premier League.
“I love England. I have lived so many years in England. You can't call the people in England racist. Italy is the same. But when they come in the stadium, they start to be like animals, acting like animals. That's when they start to use everything for you to have a bad game.
“Should I call them racists for that? I don't know. There are different ways to hurt a player, but I don't know why you have to talk about his origin or colour.
“I don't think it should be up to the players to fight it. It is the league. If the league keeps accepting it, one day something bad will happen.
“The answer is not those official campaigns like Say No to Racism. I don't want to wear the shirt Say No to Racism. They ask me to do those campaigns, but I won't because they are fake. The players don't even know what it's about. Some of them don't even want to do it.
“So when I did that first Instagram video when I was dressed as a panda, it was because I wanted to affect kids. If you're funny, you might reach more kids.
“But don't ask me to Say No to Racism like a robot because that won't affect anyone. I am happy to do a campaign against racism but in my own way. Maybe I'm crazy, but it is a good craziness.”