Cantona interview: Sept 96

something I could talk about something other than the incident – about the Championship. It was another life. Not because I didn’t want to speak about the incident, but because the best answer I could give was to win something.

Actions speak louder than words?
Ah yes, I know that saying. That is exactly right.

You said in the BBC interview that you believe you could play against 11 players and win.
I believe in myself. Sometimes it’s crazy; if I find a bicycle then I think I can beat Chris Boardman’s one-hour record. If someone says to me: ‘Get on the bicycle, beat the world record’, I say: ‘OK, I’ve got a chance’. It’s crazy, I know.

Will you play me at squash tomorrow?
Are you good enough?

So you’re optimistic and you believe you can do anything. But do you ever doubt?
No. Not until the end, when I know I haven’t won.

And then it’s hard to lose?
Yes. I don’t want to lose. I don’t like to lose. No, never.

Do you ever think about when it will all end? In five years’ time it’s going to be difficult to carry on playing at the very top level. Do you worry about that?
No. I think that Manchester United will be my last club. I don’t want to be a player who leaves a big club to play in the lower divisions. I would prefer to play with my friends in the street.

When you stop playing, will you stay in football?
If I feel I’ve got something to give to