Cantona kicks it with the players

Posted on 31/07/2007

Eric Cantona visited Copenhagen today, to show his support for the Homeless World Cup. He was welcomed onto the pitch with a huge roar from the crowd.  After the players got some photographs and autographs, he warmed up the teams with some great drills that looked like awesome fun.  Mr Cantona was offering expert advice and getting really stuck in himself, whilst all this was going on.  The players were in their element, all proving their worth with some great skills on show.  Mr Cantona then kindly visited the players' lounge so that they could have a question and answer forum.  He was asked who he admired in the modern game, and clearly struggling to answer he rolled off a list of names including: Ronaldo, Rooney and Kaka to name a few, clearly demonstrating his admiration for the sport.  Somebody asked if he regretted his decision to retire so early, to which he responded, that he had respect for the game and could no longer give 100% and that he had many other things that he wanted to do in life.  I managed to ask Eric where he preferred living, England or France, and got told "I loved England but my family and friends are in France, but really I could live anywhere."

Photo credit: Natalie-Jane Teese

A question was also asked regarding the best player he has ever played with, to which he responded by emphasising that football is a team game, and he had the honour of playing for one the best, and that they were not good because of individual talent but because they worked as a team, and they could not have won as many trophies as they did without that spirit.  He spent some time talking about beach football and informed us that he was the manager of the French National beach football team. When asked what he thought of the Homeless World Cup he responded with a smile and a nod in Mel Young's direction saying it was a wonderful idea.  Mr Cantona went on to say how pleasantly surprised he was with the talent and ability he saw whilst coaching the teams just hours earlier. He mentioned the Scotland's team success, and when asked who he thought would win he replied "I'll tell you tomorrow when I have seen more."

I think I speak for everyone involved in the Homeless World Cup, players, staff and everyone involved, when I say thank you Mr Eric Cantona for showing your support here today.

Written by Kate Wilson

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Dave Pendle
Added on 01/08/2007 @ 15:23

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