“When You Grow Up In The Streets, Begging Is Normal” - Patrice Evra Opens Up On His Tough Childhood

Since leaving the Red devils in 2014, Patrice Evra has been regarded as somewhat of an embodiment of what it takes to succeed at the top flight. The French full-back has achieved total greatness at Manchester United and since retiring has not held back on his love for his former club.

Although the positivity which Patrice Evra displays across all platforms of his social media is infectious, the man also known by United supporters as ‘Uncle Pat’ has never had it easy throughout his life. 

In an exclusive interview with the Mirror UK, Patrice Evra opens up on his tough upbringing as a child, detailing the harrowing experiences the former French international had gone through before reaching the heights he has.

An instance in Evra’s life which would affect the Frenchman forever is the death of his older brother Albert. Patrice Evra had recounted a moment in which he had walked into the toilet, seeing his brother sitting on the toilet seat staring into space with a needle hanging by his arm.

Evra’s brother later passed away due to drug abuse with the Frenchman saying “Albert eventually died from the drug addiction which had already taken over his life when I found him that night. Crack cocaine was the cause of his death.”

Not only had the Frenchman experienced a tragic passing in his family at an early age, but had seen his father leave the family at the age of 10, leaving Evra and his family to struggle financially.

Gary Neville and Patrice Evra battling it out at last year's Soccer Aid.

Patrice Evra recalls begging at an early age due to financial struggles at home, with only his mother working to provide for a large family Patrice Evra took to the streets of Les Ulis in the Southwestern suburbs of Paris to beg for meals.

Evra opens up on begging on the streets, detailing, “when you grow up in the streets, begging is normal. If you wanted a sandwich or a kebab at the time, we’d be begging.” The Frenchman also goes on to recall eating from the McDonalds rubbish where he would find cold Big Macs and cheeseburgers. 

After moving to Italy to play football as a teenager, Patrice Evra came across vile actions of racism. According to Evra, he had been the only ‘black player’ in the league and had experienced racism from an early age.

Evra recounts a time where an opposition player had been racist towards the Frenchman before the game started. 

“One player, before we started a game, told me: “Listen, my little - and used the N word - today there’s nothing for you. Everyone says you’re a phenomenon, but I’m going to break your legs.” Evra goes on to say, “but this is the journey. It made me even more determined to succeed.”

Evra says he encountered shocking attitudes towards homosexuality during his playing career (Image: Alamy)

This mindset is what shaped the Frenchman into the success that he is today; Evra has battled adversity his whole life and has shown tremendous amount of resilience to become the champion he is remembered as today.

After getting his big move to Manchester United in 2006, the Frenchman went on to lift 5 Premier league trophies, 3 League Cups and winning the Champions League. 

The illustrious career of Patrice Evra may be displayed in trophies, but the resilience of the Frenchman to battle a harrowing childhood is not just impressive, but a story to draw inspiration from and a reminder of just how precious life is.