Nicolas Anelka graces the cover of Le Parisien magazine, shedding light on his intriguing experience in China with Shanghai Shenhua, where he inked a two-year deal.
In his reflection on the venture, Anelka reveals his role as a scout, emphasizing his innate adventurous spirit and the desire to explore new horizons. A self-proclaimed aficionado of kung fu legends such as Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Bruce Lee, he underscores the decision as both logical and financially astute.
The football maverick, who draws a hefty weekly paycheck of 230,000 euros, defends the astronomical salaries of players, attributing it to the evolution of the football business over the past quarter-century. Anelka traces his success back to years of hard work and early sacrifices, emphasizing the financial rewards reaped in the present.
Discussing the global shift in football dynamics, Anelka delves into the decentralization of the sport from the Western sphere to emerging markets like China, Qatar, Russia, and soon, India. He asserts that venturing abroad requires a specific mentality for success.
Anelka takes a swipe at French taxation, attributing the rise of football’s global presence to decisions made by those responsible for the country’s economic turmoil. Unapologetically, he defends the industry’s lucrative salaries.
Returning to familiar ground, Anelka shares his assessment of Raymond Domenech, portraying him favorably. He acknowledges the inevitability of critics and enemies, contrasting it with the prevailing era of hypocrisy. In a unique twist, Anelka hints at a future ceremony organized by him to recognize the most dubious journalists, with players themselves casting the votes. This, he anticipates, will be no easy task given the multitude of contenders in the field of media scrutiny.
