Even if he did play for clubs like AS Roma, Paris Saint-Germain or Milan, there will always be an element of ‘what could have been’ when it comes to Jérémy Ménez.
The 32-year-old, who now plays for Paris FC in Ligue 2, was once seen as one of the top talents in France, with many predicting great things for him in the future.
So much so, in fact, that Sir Alex Ferguson, always on the lookout for the next talent, wanted him at Manchester United.
Ménez was 16 years old at the time, and speaking to France Football, he explained why, despite having the option of moving to Old Trafford, he decided to turn down the legendary Scottish manager and continue his career in France.
He said: “Alex Ferguson came to my parents’ house to see me. I then went over [to Manchester United] with my brother. He invited us to show us how everything was on site. We saw a game, a training session and he made us an offer.
“It was hard to turn down, but it was the best thing to do. At the time, a few youngsters had gone abroad and were unsuccessful. I preferred the safety and to be closer to my family.”
The forward still had a good career, earning 24 caps for France between 2010 and 2013, playing alongside players such as Francesco Totti at Roma or David Beckham at Paris Saint-Germain.
In fact, the former Manchester United star was so impressed with Ménez that he once said ‘if he’d managed to focus a bit more, he would have been one of the top five players in the world’.
Ménez said to France Football: “It made me really happy, especially coming from a guy like him, who has known everything, played with the best in the world. To say that, it’s beautiful. Once again, it shuts the mouth of those who can only talk about my personality.
“Beckham is so accessible… Often, the greatest are the simplest. He came to our barbecues. He did everything with us. The best of the best.”
