We loved his game: Patrice Evra retires

Manchester United legend Patrice Evra has announced his retirement from football after a brilliant career that saw him win a plethora of medals in France, England, and Italy. Evra’s electric ability and charisma made him a fan favorite at Old Trafford, where he will continue to be celebrated as one of the greatest full-backs to ever play for the club.

When Patrice Evra arrived at Manchester United, alongside Nemanja Vidić, in January, 2006, the Reds’ back-line was in need of a makeover. Evra made an instant impact, and United quickly found a reliable defensive corps of Evra, Rio Ferdinand, and Vidić, a group that would stay together for another 8 seasons. At United, Evra won the Premier League (5x), the League Cup (3x), the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup (both in 2008). He is without a doubt a champion, and a member of one of the greatest teams in the history of Manchester United Football Club.

Evra’s love of the club was unquestioned, and he made it clear from the moment he arrived that as soon as he heard United were interested he wanted no other club. He bought into the culture of the club, and became a favorite of fans and teammates. His passion for the club and his leadership in the squad made him a perfect fit for Sir Alex Ferguson’s final teams.

Though Evra’s United career came to an end in 2014, along with that of Ferdinand and Vidić, he’s remained a beloved figure in the hearts of fans, and has continued to support the club through social media and attendance at big matches. His Instagram videos, however weird some of them may be, have also endeared him to a generation of fans that may not remember his entire career at the club. His exclamation, “I Love This Game!,” has become his life motto. He loves football, he loves life, he loves this game.