United captain Gary Neville: Millionaire players deserve every penny they get

24 September 2009 18:15
Premier League wages are soaring ever higher but Manchester United club captain Gary Neville has defended footballers' rights to earn their astronomical pay packet. At United, top stars such as Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand can expect to earn around £100,000 per week, while at Chelsea John Terry this season signed a new deal worth a staggering £160,000 over the same period. But Neville claims players deserve such exorbitant sums because the Premier League product is so popular worldwide and rakes in huge figures from television rights sales. Neville, 34, said: 'Others earn billions selling rights and 75,000 come to watch us every week. 'There's a product there that people love. Fans are crucial but without the player you have nothing.' Neville also questioned why top-flight footballers should be different to those who try to earn as much as they can during more regular careers. He said: 'Architects leave their business, caterers move restaurants - this is life. People want a better wage. Is there too much money in other businesses, like banking?' Neville, who was let off with a warning by the FA after an over-zealous celebration following the victory against Manchester City last weekend, also suggested that footballers are motivated by glory, not money, when they start their careers. He said: 'When a kid kicks the ball aged six, he is thinking about dreams, not money.' And Neville added that he intends to see out his career at Old Trafford, where he has spent his entire professional career: 'There's no other place to go - I'm at the best club.'

Source: Daily_Mail