THEY don’t always flash the cash.
Footballers, in general, are known for their expensive tastes – supercars, designer clobber, luxurious breaks away… you get the picture.
Eric Dier flew to Marrakech on EasyJetCredit: Triangle News
But not Tottenham’s Eric Dier, who was recently spied getting a £250 EasyJet flight to Marrakech during the winter break.
And there’s, believe it or not, othert modest Premier League stars who are watch the pennies when it comes to spending their millions, with some even living like us!
Let SunSport, also partial to a bargain, guide you through football’s most frugal stars… including those who dare to use public transport.
RAHEEM STERLING
If you’re the face of high-street brand H&M, then you’re down with the common man.
Man City winger Sterling does love designer clothing, often seen wearing expensive brands like Gucci and Dsquared2.
But he’s not afraid to mix and match pricey threads with some cheaper clothing too.
The £180,000-per-week England international and his missus Paige Milian have been known to shop at low-budget stores Primark and Poundland.
In fact, on a shopping trip in 2018 Paige splashed a total of £32 on a T-shirt, hoodie and some joggers for her man.
On her online blog, Paige revealed: “I’m not gonna lie I love a bargain.
Raheem Sterling and his family aren’t afraid to shop at PrimarkCredit: YouTube
Sterling’s missus Paige Milian showed off some joggers, a T-shirt and a hoodie she bought for the Man City aceCredit: YouTube
“Some of you are probably thinking: Why are you going on about Primark? Is she trying to prove something? Primark is my favourite shop, it has been since I was a kid.
“I know I’m wearing Gucci on my feet now but it doesn’t mean my outfits have to be Gucci from head to toe.
“Primark, that’s my life. I don’t care what anyone says.”
JUAN MATA
There are none more humble and wiser than Manchester United star Mata.
The Spanish forward is reported to earn £140,000-per-week, which he donates one per cent of to his Common Goal charity.
In 2015, he downgraded his car to an old Volkswagen Beetle.
Smart and economical with his finances, instead of buying expensive, materialistic things, he puts his cash into furthering himself.
Rather than hangout at Cibo Restaurant, a haunt for United and Manchester City stars like David De Gea and Sergio Aguero, he uses his time wisely to prepare for a life after football.
During his time in England, Mata has studied for degrees in marketing and sports science.
Modest Juan Mata loves to go on backpacking holidays with matesCredit: Instagram, @juanmatagarcia
In 2015 Mata downgraded cars to an old VW BeetleCredit: Instagram, @juanmatagarcia
And just like Dier, Mata isn’t afraid to slum it when it comes to holidaying – backpacking with pals instead of heading to a glitzy five-star hotel in Dubai.
“I travel all year with football but it’s not the same,” he told the Daily Mail in 2012.
“I have two friends with me at the moment, and in the summer, I travel with them, to different parts of Spain or Europe.
“We put backpacks on and go somewhere. The other week, we went to a couple of Greeks islands.”
YANNICK BOLASIE
When £25million Everton winger Bolasie was at Crystal Palace, he lived well below his means.
Born in Lyon and raised by Congolese parents in a not so affluent area of North West London, home is certainly where the heart is for Yannick.
So when he made it pro, he bought a house near his family to stay grounded.
“I’m not going to try to live like Eden Hazard, for example,” he told The Guardian.
“That’s a totally different lifestyle. He’s gonna have a bigger house, a bigger this … You can get attracted too much to that side. And then you forget what you do best. Football.”
Everton’s £25m man Yannick Bolasie wanted to live in a small house, near his family after making it proCredit: PA:Empics Sport
And when he scored a big-money move to Everton, there was no shifting his spending patterns.
“I’m still going to live off the same budget I had before,” he revealed.
“I’m not spending anything extra. I just put it in the bank … [whereas] a lot of people if they change salary they start doing different things and just get lost a little bit.”
N’GOLO KANTE
Often called the beacon of modesty among the Premier League elite, Chelsea star Kante shuns a lifestyle his team-mates enjoy.
Earning £290,000-per-week, you could be willing to forgive the French international for enjoying his wealth.
But no. Alas, this man drives a Mini Cooper he’s had for five years since arriving on our shores – and there’s no changing his mind on an upgrade.
He said: “I’ve never been someone who loves a car.
“And when I was young I didn’t have the ambition of a car or something like that.”
Even former Leicester City teammate Jamie Vardy was stunned when they met up after he signed for the Blues, and uncovered Kante now owns TWO Minis – with the original he bought back in France!
N’Golo Kante has been driving the same Mini Cooper for five yearsCredit: JIM BENNETT
Vardy told French outlet L’Equipe: “The first thing that I asked him was: ‘Are you still driving your Mini Cooper, mate?’
“He said to me that he had sent the model that he had at Leicester back to France but that he had bought a new Mini Cooper in the meantime!” One word. Legend.
GOING UNDERGROUND
Forget a motor or a black cab. Every Londoner knows the fastest way to get around the capital is to take the Tube.
And there’s plenty of examples of footballers saving their money to slum it with the rest of us during rush hour.
Yes, Dier again has been known to travel underground.
Arsenal rival Mesut Ozil also used the Northern Line when he had some time off.
Other Tubers include Wilfried Zaha, Christian Eriksen, top bloke Mata, and even the German national team when they were in town for a friendly against England – taking in a Sherlock Holmes museum tour in Baker Street.
Achtung, they’re all doing things on the cheap.
Eric Dier and Christian Eriksen going undergroundCredit: Twitter
Wilfried Zaha hops on the Tube after trainingCredit: Twitter
Arsenal star Mesut Ozil takes the Northern LineCredit: Instagram @m10_official
Per Mertesacker looks thrilled to be on the London UndergroundCredit: Handout – Getty
The German national team went to Wembley Park for a friendly against EnglandCredit: Handout
The German national team changed at Baker Street and went to the Sherlock Holmes museum firstCredit: Handout – Getty
Chelsea star N’Golo Kante stuns guests by turning up at fan’s daughter’s wedding, mingling with guests and congratulating bride and groom on stage
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
