Menez: 'I'd be in prison...'

By Football Italia staff

Jeremy Menez is reviving his career at Milan, but “without football I’d be in prison” and reveals he turned down Manchester United.

The Frenchman is set to face his former club this evening when the Rossoneri visit Roma. Click here for a match preview.

“Perhaps, and I underline perhaps because I cannot know for sure, without football I’d be in prison,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“After all, many of my friends from the Banlieu 94 ended up there: theft, drugs, that sort of thing you fall into when you are young. You’d want everything, but there isn’t any money.

“I kept in contact with them when they were inside and every time it was like realising how thin the line is that divides a happy life with one that is ruined.

“I left the Banlieu at right time, aged 13, for a move to Sochaux. At 16 I stayed there and turned down Manchester United, even though Ferguson wanted me, as I didn’t feel it was the right moment. I am not saying it would’ve been a bad move, but I felt I was too young for a step like that and I wasn’t ready.

“I might’ve had a better career, but I don’t know that for sure. In any case, I never regretted that decision.”

Menez isn’t the only ex-Roma player to be facing them at the Stadio Olimpico this evening, as he also bonded with Philippe Mexes.

“Filo and I shared so many things together. Totti and De Rossi are my fondest memories of Roma and they are in my heart, but my real friends don’t tend to be in football. The exception is Benzema, who is like a brother to me. My friends treat me the same way as when I wasn’t famous and had no money.”

The 27-year-old said he has no intention of joining Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, but he does have an idea what to do after his playing career concludes.

“I can’t imagine myself as an old man, even though I know that growing old means you have lived a good life.

“Today I see time passing as above all what brings me closer to finishing with football. I want to play another seven or eight years. As Ibrahimovic said recently, I am like a fine wine that gets better with age.

“When you’re young, you think that you’re the best and don’t even realise your mistakes. Now that I’ve understood things, I want to enjoy this moment.

“I’ll tell you one thing: I can’t wait to stop playing so I can put on a bit of belly fat! I love to eat and I say a man is better with a bit of a tummy!”

Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £9.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://www.premiersports.com/subscribenow