Patrice Evra faced some of the greatest players in history during his brilliant career for club and country and it is James Milner that stands out to him as the toughest opponent he came up against.
The Frenchman made 379 appearances for , also turning out for the likes of , Marseille and Monaco and winning 81 caps for before retiring from playing in 2019.
Playing at full-back at the highest level he faced some serious challenges from the world’s best wingers, but he remembers the task of meeting Milner as the toughest.
The former Liverpool and man, who is currently at Brighton, has always been known for his work-rate, tenacity and intensity, which Evra admits was a nightmare to play against.
‘Every time people think I’ll say Ronaldo or Messi but it’s James Milner of Liverpool, because I’m an attacking full-back and he was defending me more than attacking. It was frustrating my game, always in the challenge, in the air,’ Evra told the .
‘He was playing for City, then after he went to Liverpool and every time at the end of the game I was frustrated. Even when I was going to the toilet he was following me to the toilet. He doesn’t stop, he’s so underrated. He’s a machine.’
The 37-year-old signed for Brighton on a free transfer over the summer after his Liverpool contract came to an end.
He has not turned up at the Amex to be a bit-part player even at his age, starting three of the Seagulls’ opening four games of the season and coming off the bench in the other.
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