Tottenham legend Benoit Assou-Ekotto celebrated his 38th birthday on Thursday. You remember him, right? The left-back that once said he played football for the money and not because it's "his passion". At least he's honest.
Assou-Ekotto became a cult figure at White Hart Lane during his seven-year spell. He was part of Harry Redknapp's team that qualified for the Champions League in 2010-11, playing alongside Peter Crouch, Niko Kranjcar and Wilson Palacios. What a time to be alive.
Assou-Ekotto was also known for wearing odd boots, yet his interview with The Guardian in May 2010 was the most memorable moment of his career. "It's a good, good job and I don't say that I hate football but it's not my passion," he said.
The 24-cap Cameroon international added: "All people, everyone, when they go to a job, it's for the money. So I don't understand why, when I said I play for the money, people were shocked. Oh, he's a mercenary. Every player is like that."
Assou-Ekotto went on to say: "I knew for a fact that I didn't like school and I also knew that I didn't want to work in an office where I would be paid €1,500-a-month and, at the end of my career, be able to buy a little suburban apartment or something."
Although many of his dream of gracing a Premier League pitch, not every footballer plays the game for the love of it. Here Mirror Football remembers six other stars who aren't that fussed about the beautiful game.
Gareth Bale
Who was Harry Redknapp's best player at Tottenham? Let us know in the comments below!
There's no doubting Bale likes football. As Assou-Ekotto enjoyed celebrating his birthday on Thursday, Bale scored a brace to give Wales a priceless 2-1 victory against Austria. His country are now just 90 minutes away from qualifying for this year's World Cup.
Bale's real passion, however, is golf. After Wales qualified for Euro 2020, he held up a flag that read: "Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order." It was viewed as a cheeky dig at his employers Real Madrid - and he's barely played for them since.
Speaking to ESPN in 2018, Bale admitted: "I don't really watch much football. I'd rather watch the golf to be honest." Golf? Over football? You must be having a laugh, Gareth. We don't expect to see him on Match of the Day anytime soon.
Benjamin White
"It's actually Benjamin," joked White when asked about his name by Sky Sports last year. It was the start of an iconic interview by the Arsenal youngster, who went on to offer an interesting - and refreshing - opinion of football.
"Football is so intense," said White. "You come in every day giving 100 per cent. All I want to do is go home and not think about it, then come in in the morning fresh and ready to give 100 per cent again. I watch myself for analytical reasons.
"I watch England, maybe, but I'm always busy doing something. I wouldn't just sit down and watch a game. I didn't ever watch football when I was younger. I still don't now. I just loved the game, I was always playing it, never watching."
Bobby Zamora
"When the ball hits the goal, it's not Shearer or Cole, it's Zamora!" That chant was often sung by Bristol Rovers, Bath City, Brighton, Tottenham, West Ham, Fulham, QPR and England fans between 1999 and 2016 - yet it's unlikely Zamora idolised anyone in return.
"I’m not a massive football fan, really," he told the Daily Mail in 2012. "I don’t watch games on an evening or anything like that. Quite a lot more players than [those that admit it] are the same. I’m not sure what I want to do after I finish playing but if it means watching football then I don’t want to get involved."
Carlos Vela
Former Arsenal ace Vela once admitted he prefers "a good movie" over live football. "The truth is that I’ve never been so passionate about football as to say, 'I’m a fan of Real Madrid or of this team and I’ll stand with them to the death,'" Vela told Canal+.
"I enjoy playing, but once the match ends the football is finished for me and you can talk to me about anything that isn’t football, because I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing so or like doing so." To be fair, who doesn't love a good rom-com?
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
They say goalkeepers are unique, yet most are still aware of what's going on in football. Ter Stegen is the exception to the rule. The Barcelona stopper said in 2020: "People laugh when I tell them I have no idea about football.
"I don't see a lot of football, except when there are good games or when I'm particularly interested in one because I have a relationship or a friend. Sometimes they ask me for a player's name and I have no idea." Wonder what he thinks of Lionel Messi...
Carlos Tevez
The Argentine is fondly remembered for his spells at Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus and Boca Juniors - winning countless trophies, including the Champions League and Copa Libertadores - but he doesn't remember football that fondly.
Tevez said in 2018: "I don't like football, I've never been a fan of football, I simply like to play and to have the ball... if Barcelona and Real Madrid are playing each other, but there is a golf tournament on another channel, I'll choose to watch the golf instead."
Carlos, have you met Gareth?
