Football
See why Manchester United fans are in wild celebrations
Football fans at the Old Trafford club are in wild celebrations as their former club captain and iconic star Eric Cantona is set to be honoured by UEFA.
National Daily gathered that former Manchester United star Eric Cantona will be presented the 2019 UEFA President’s Award in recognition of his playing career and commitment to charitable causes after it.
The 53-year-old Frenchman will receive the award in Monaco on Thursday during the Champions League group stage draw.
Eric Cantona with Sir Alex Ferguson after signing for United
“This award not only recognises his career as a player of the highest calibre, but also honours him for the person he is,” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
“A man who refuses compromise, who stands up for his values, who speaks his mind and in particular, puts his heart and his soul into supporting the causes he believes in.”
United were also quick to reveal the news and said: “The President’s Award recognises outstanding achievements, professional excellence and exemplary personal qualities, with Ceferin keen to stress that he admired Cantona’s commitment to improving the lives of others following the conclusion of his footballing career.
“During his career, he dazzled crowds with his unique talent and style, while his undoubted charisma won him respect wherever he played.”
Cantona won four Premier League titles in five years with United in the 1990s and scored 64 goals for the Old Trafford club in 143 appearances.
The former Auxerre, Marseille, Nimes and Leeds United player won 45 caps with France and tried his hand at acting and beach soccer following his retirement in 1997.
Cantona supports the Common Goal initiative, which funds soccer charities worldwide, and contributes 1 per cent of his annual salary to the project co-founded by United’s Juan Mata.
He will join an illustrious list of previous winners which includes Sir Bobby Charlton, David Beckham, Alfredo Di Stefano and Eusebio.
Former United star and former England captain Beckham is the latest recipient of the award when he won it in 2018 National Daily further learned.
