Alex Song Admits He Only Joined Barcelona For Money
Alexander Song has revealed that he only joined Barcelona for money without much regard for playing time.
The former Cameroon international left Arsenal for the Spanish giants in the summer of 2012 for a transfer fee of £15m.
The move raised a few eyebrows at the time, given Song had only just nailed down a regular starting spot in Arsene Wenger’s starting eleven after more than four years in North London. Moreover, the former Bastia man was also moving to the Camp Nou to compete for a place in a Barcelona midfield that had the likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets.
"During my entire time at Arsenal I couldn't even save £100,000, while people thought I must be a millionaire, Song told Toronto Raptors basketball star Pascal Siakam on Instagram Live.
"When Barcelona offered me a contract, and I saw how much I would earn, I didn't think twice. I felt my wife and children should have comfortable lives once my career is over.
"I met Barca's sporting director, and he told me I would not get to play many games.
"But I didn't give a f*** - I knew that now I would become a millionaire.
"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."
Song made 39 league appearances in his first two years at Barcelona, winning one La Liga title before spending the final two years of his contract on loan at West Ham United.
Now 32, Song has been in the news recently for being one of nine players sacked by Swiss side FC Sion for refusing to take a pay cut in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis.
