Patrice Evra

Patrice Evra was born on May 15, 1981, in Dakar, Senegal, and moved to France when he was a year old. Evra grew up in Les Ulis, a suburb of Paris, where he began his career as a young footballer. He is one of 25 siblings and has described his upbringing as challenging but formative, as his large family and immigrant background instilled values of hard work and determination.

On January 10, 2006, Patrice Evra completed a transfer to Manchester United from AS Monaco for around £5.5 million. The transfer was a significant move for Evra as he joined one of the most celebrated football clubs in the world. Upon his arrival, Evra quickly established himself as a key player. Despite struggling in his debut, he developed into one of the best left-backs in Europe during his tenure.

Patrice Evra was named captain of the French national team in March 2011, succeeding Thierry Henry. This appointment came during a turbulent time for the national team following their poor showing at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Evra's leadership was seen as pivotal to rebuilding the team's morale and performance on the international stage.

Patrice Evra won his fifth and final Premier League title with Manchester United in May 2014, at the end of the 2013-2014 season. During his time with the club, Evra was a crucial part of United's defense and partook in an era that saw the club win numerous trophies under Sir Alex Ferguson. Evra's career at United fortified his reputation as one of the elite left-backs of his generation.

Patrice Evra joined Juventus on July 21, 2014, after leaving Manchester United. His transfer to the Italian club signaled a new chapter in his career in Serie A where he continued to showcase his skill. At Juventus, Evra won two Serie A titles and helped the team reach the 2015 UEFA Champions League final. His experiences at Juventus further cemented his status as a highly successful footballer across Europe.

On November 2, 2017, Patrice Evra was involved in a controversial incident when he kicked a fan before a UEFA Europa League match between Marseille and Vitoria SC. The altercation occurred during the warm-up, leading to Evra's dismissal from the squad. Marseille subsequently terminated his contract as a result of the altercation. The incident led to significant media coverage and was a low point in Evra's career.

Patrice Evra announced his retirement from professional football on July 29, 2019. Covering a career that spanned nineteen years, Evra experienced incredible success at top clubs such as Manchester United and Juventus. He decided to focus on obtaining his UEFA coaching badges and embarking on a new chapter as a coach. His retirement marked the end of a storied playing career.

On October 10, 2020, Patrice Evra released a touching video on his social media speaking out against racism and reflecting on his experiences as a black footballer. Throughout his career, Evra has been vocal about issues of race and discrimination in football, advocating for greater equality and justice within the sport.

On October 25, 2021, Patrice Evra released his autobiography titled 'I Love This Game.' In this book, he shares personal anecdotes, moments from his illustrious career, his transition from a player to a media and coaching figure, and his efforts off the pitch, addressing critical topics like racism and mental health, while providing insight into his vibrant personality.

On July 15, 2022, Patrice Evra was cleared of a charge of making homophobic remarks in relation to comments he made on social media. After a case review, the Paris court dismissed the charge, concluding that the remarks did not constitute a criminal offense. The case was a significant legal confrontation that attracted attention from both supporters and critics.