N'Golo Kante trained as an accountant before becoming professional footballer

N'Golo Kante trained as an accountant in his native France

N'Golo Kante has revealed that he is a trained accountant, and that he worked towards the qualification because he was not sure if he would make it as a professional footballer.

Kante has been a revelation since moving to the Premier League, winning the title for Leicester and Chelsea in both of his full seasons in England.

However, he endured a long journey to reach that level, and spent time in the French amateur leagues.

Kante said: "I was at Boulogne, in the second team - the sixth, then the fifth division. I wasn't professional, so I kept studying because I wasn't sure if I would be able to make a living as a footballer.

"When I was 18, I got my baccalaureate [the French A-Level equivalent] and after that I did two more years of study in accountancy.

Kante came off early in France's win over Bulgaria with an injury

"When I went up to the first-team, I became professional, so I stopped studying. I got my qualification in accountancy, but now I prefer to concentrate on football."

The story only serves to highlight the meteoric rise of Kante, who was a relative unknown before moving to Leicester in the summer of 2015.

The French midfielder was nominated for the Ballon d'Or for the first time on Monday.

Kante has just returned early from international duty after picking up a suspected hamstring injury, and is due to be assessed by Chelsea's medical staff.