‘I went for the money’ – Ex-Premier League star explains decision to dump Premier League club for Barcelona

Alex Song
Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song, was a household name at Arsenal, and one of their best midfielders, before leaving for Barcelona.

Song spent 8 years with the Gunners, before dumping Arsenal for Barcelona in 2012.

Alex Song who was a key player at Arsenal, ended up being a fringe player at Barca and was hardly used.

For Song, he doesn’t care about that decision, as it gave him a lot of money.

The ex-Gunner said: “Most footballers live beyond their means. I was at Arsenal for eight years but only began to earn a good living in the last four.

“That was because my salary went up a lot – but also because I came to realise what a waster I was.

“When I first joined them I was getting £15,000 a week. I was a young lad, and I was ecstatic.

“I wanted to rub shoulders with the big boys. I could shop wherever I wanted and have crazy nights out.

“I would go to training and see Thierry Henry – the King – turn up in an absolute gem of a car. I told myself I wanted the same car at all costs.

“I went to the dealership, signed the papers and arranged to pay for it by standing order – and just like that I had the same car as The King.

“But I swear that I had to hand the car back inside two months. All my money was going on filling it with petrol.

“I told them: ‘Give me a Toyota – this car’s too much for me.’

“When I next went to training Thierry asked me: ‘Where’s your car, son?’ I told him it’s on a higher level than me.

“During my entire time at Arsenal I couldn’t even save £100,000, while people thought I must be a millionaire.

“When Barcelona offered me a contract, and I saw how much I would earn, I didn’t think twice. I felt my wife and children should have comfortable lives once my career is over.

“I met Barca’s sporting director, and he told me I would not get to play many games.

“But I didn’t give a f*** – I knew that now I would become a millionaire.

“I’ll always say that a 20-year-old who drives a Ferrari is a poor man, as at that age he’s not yet achieved anything.

“But a man of 50 who drives a Bentley is a man to be respected.”