Alex Song Admits Being a “Waster” at Arsenal and Joining Barcelona for Money
Former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song has opened up about his time at the club, admitting that he was a “waster” and joined Barcelona purely for the money. Song, who spent seven seasons with the Gunners, revealed that he had to get rid of his flashy new car as he was spending all his money on petrol.
Song left North London for Barcelona in 2012 and is currently a free agent after being sacked by Swiss club Sion in March for refusing to take a pay cut. During his time at Arsenal, the 36-year-old made 215 appearances and scored 10 goals following his move from Bastia.
In an Instagram chat with his countryman Pascal Siakam, a basketball star for the Toronto Raptors, Song reflected on his spendthrift ways. He 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 realize what a waster I was.”
When Song first joined Arsenal, he was earning £15,000 a week and was ecstatic about it. He wanted to live the lifestyle of the “big boys” and would shop wherever he wanted and have extravagant nights out. He recalled seeing Thierry Henry, a legendary Arsenal player, arrive at training in an impressive car and decided that he wanted the same car at all costs.
Song went to the dealership, signed the papers, and arranged to pay for the car by standing order. However, he soon realized that the car was too expensive to maintain as all his money was going towards filling it with petrol. He had to hand the car back within two months and opted for a more affordable Toyota instead.
During his entire time at Arsenal, Song couldn’t even save £100,000, despite people assuming he must be a millionaire. When Barcelona offered him a contract with a significant increase in salary, he didn’t hesitate to accept it. He wanted to ensure that his wife and children would have comfortable lives once his career was over.
Song admitted that he was aware he wouldn’t get to play many games at Barcelona, but he didn’t care because he knew he would become a millionaire. He met with Barcelona’s sporting director, who informed him about the limited playing time, but the financial aspect was more important to Song.
The former Arsenal midfielder also shared his perspective on wealth and success. He stated, “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.”
Throughout his career, Song had loan spells at Charlton and West Ham and also played for Russians Rubin Kazan. Most recently, he played for Djiboutian side Arta/Solar7.
In conclusion, Alex Song’s candid admission about being a “waster” at Arsenal sheds light on the financial struggles and pressures faced by professional footballers. His decision to join Barcelona for the money highlights the importance of securing financial stability for oneself and their family. Song’s story serves as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and it’s essential to manage finances wisely, regardless of one’s income level.