Andy Carroll: “I feel in tune with Bordeaux. We have a lot in common”

In The Independent, the Girondins de Bordeaux striker,
Andy Carrollspoke about his life in France.

“In France, I lead a much easier, simpler life. People recognize me in the street but respect me. This is the key to my happiness. I can go back to being Andy, the boy from the north of England. I'm no longer the Premier League star I once was, if I ever was. It would be unfair to say that popularity took more from me than it gave me, but sometimes it's difficult to deal with these situations. Fame has its dark sides.”

Then he spoke more specifically about his life in Bordeaux.

“I never let money be the main reason why I played football. Especially not today, when the rent costs me more than my salary. It is certain that I feel in tune with Bordeaux. Even though it is in the fourth division, the club will now try to regain its greatness and in my case, I never gave up. We have a lot in common and, subconsciously, that's probably what pushed me to wear this jersey. We are together, no one talks about me because of what I was or what I did in the past. They treat me like a person like any other, someone who does his job like everyone else. There are no egos here, no different groups. It was much more in line with what I was looking for at this point in my life.”

Finally, he talked about the end of his career, which he does not hope is coming soon.

“I still love football, like the first day, because it keeps me alive. It's been my dream since the first time I saw a match. I know the end is coming, and the more it comes, the more I try to enjoy it. I enjoy every minute of playing or training. I hope to reach 40.”