What do you think?
Rate this book
I Love This Game: The Autobiography
Not yet published
Expected 31 Dec 30French full-back Patrice Evra, cult hero among Manchester United fans, reveals the extraordinary story behind his rise to the top of world football.
One of 26 siblings, Evra was born in Dakar, Senegal, and came to France at the age of one, growing up in a tough housing project near Paris. With crime a way of life around him, he found his escape in football and by the time he was 19, after a professional start in Italy, he was playing in the gilded surroundings of the Cote d'Azur, first for Nice then for Monaco. But it was at Manchester United, between 2006 and 2014, that he played his best football after being signed by Sir Alex Ferguson, helping the club to five Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008 alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and the rest. He immersed himself in the history of the club, and became a hero to the United crowd, before eventually leaving to go to more success at Juventus, where he mentored a young Paul Pogba on his way to becoming briefly the world's most expensive footballer.
There have been controversies along the way, including a notorious bust-up after he alleged Luis Suarez had racially abused him during a match and when as captain of France during the 2010 World Cup he led a strike against the coaching staff. He remains a hugely popular and charismatic figure in his sport, and has become an unlikely star of social media, with more than 3 million Instagram followers, thanks to his upbeat posts.
I Love This Game is a book that captures that joy and passion for his sport, but it also reveals how hard you have to work to follow your dreams.
One of 26 siblings, Evra was born in Dakar, Senegal, and came to France at the age of one, growing up in a tough housing project near Paris. With crime a way of life around him, he found his escape in football and by the time he was 19, after a professional start in Italy, he was playing in the gilded surroundings of the Cote d'Azur, first for Nice then for Monaco. But it was at Manchester United, between 2006 and 2014, that he played his best football after being signed by Sir Alex Ferguson, helping the club to five Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008 alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and the rest. He immersed himself in the history of the club, and became a hero to the United crowd, before eventually leaving to go to more success at Juventus, where he mentored a young Paul Pogba on his way to becoming briefly the world's most expensive footballer.
There have been controversies along the way, including a notorious bust-up after he alleged Luis Suarez had racially abused him during a match and when as captain of France during the 2010 World Cup he led a strike against the coaching staff. He remains a hugely popular and charismatic figure in his sport, and has become an unlikely star of social media, with more than 3 million Instagram followers, thanks to his upbeat posts.
I Love This Game is a book that captures that joy and passion for his sport, but it also reveals how hard you have to work to follow your dreams.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication December 31, 2030
30 people are currently reading
363 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 15, 2022
What a man and what a leader, honest and interesting account of his life.
Reading about his love and dedication to his club, country and teammates is inspiring, wish there were a few players like him at Old Trafford now. Maybe we should re-sign him.
Reading about his love and dedication to his club, country and teammates is inspiring, wish there were a few players like him at Old Trafford now. Maybe we should re-sign him.
November 4, 2021
An honest, entertaining and incredible autobiography from the legend Patrice Evra. Some heartbreaking revelations in the book which makes you realise that behind the smiles and good vibes Patrice brings on social media, he has overcome some very difficult hurdles in life. I always respected Evra for what he stood for on the pitch but having read this I have a lot of respect for the man off the pitch. Enjoy your next chapter in life Patrice. I love this game and I love this book.
September 1, 2025
Ouch. This is not just Patrice Evra’s autobiography—it is his release of all the contained trauma. The first revelation stings the hardest: the childhood sexual abuse he carried in silence for decades. Fear, shame, guilt—no words, only shadows. And you can feel how trauma shapes the man, even as he hides it behind laughter, dancing, and that famous charisma.
Then the body. Small, fragile, unconvincing. Too light, too short, too weak—at least that’s what the academies told him. Imagine being told you are not enough, over and over. Doors closed, futures denied. Until Italy, of all places, opened one. From there, Nice, Monaco, and finally Manchester United. A journey carved not by destiny but by stubborn refusal to accept rejection.
But football is never only football. World Cup 2010. The implosion. Anelka sent home, the squad fractured, France humiliated. Evra at the heart of it all, both captain and villain, both victim and symbol of a country’s disappointment. One tournament becomes a scar that no medal, no trophy can ever erase.
This book is about glory, yes, but it is also about wounds that never fully close. Abuse, rejection, scandal—all stitched into the fabric of his life. And yet, Evra insists: I love this game. Love, even after the game gave him pain, humiliation, and betrayal. That humorous character is not superficiality—it is survival, it is hope (his coping mechanism?)
A recommended book. It is not just about a footballer. It is about a boy broken, a man rebuilt, and the price of carrying both on the same shoulders.
P.S. The first 30-40 minutes of the audiobook and the last 20-25 minutes of it is narrated by Evra himself.
Then the body. Small, fragile, unconvincing. Too light, too short, too weak—at least that’s what the academies told him. Imagine being told you are not enough, over and over. Doors closed, futures denied. Until Italy, of all places, opened one. From there, Nice, Monaco, and finally Manchester United. A journey carved not by destiny but by stubborn refusal to accept rejection.
But football is never only football. World Cup 2010. The implosion. Anelka sent home, the squad fractured, France humiliated. Evra at the heart of it all, both captain and villain, both victim and symbol of a country’s disappointment. One tournament becomes a scar that no medal, no trophy can ever erase.
This book is about glory, yes, but it is also about wounds that never fully close. Abuse, rejection, scandal—all stitched into the fabric of his life. And yet, Evra insists: I love this game. Love, even after the game gave him pain, humiliation, and betrayal. That humorous character is not superficiality—it is survival, it is hope (his coping mechanism?)
A recommended book. It is not just about a footballer. It is about a boy broken, a man rebuilt, and the price of carrying both on the same shoulders.
P.S. The first 30-40 minutes of the audiobook and the last 20-25 minutes of it is narrated by Evra himself.
January 9, 2022
A heartwarming autobiography, very funny and consistently interesting when Patrice discusses his experiences at all of the teams he has played for. I'm not a United fan but I still strongly reccomend for any football fan.
December 9, 2021
There is a red, white and black flag at United games that reads: United. Kids. Wife. In that order.' People laugh at it. I didn't find it funny because, I'm ashamed to say, for me it was true. - Patrice Evra.
Once a Red, always a Red!!!
And don't forget guys.... To Love This Game!!! Ha-ha-ha.... 😄
Once a Red, always a Red!!!
And don't forget guys.... To Love This Game!!! Ha-ha-ha.... 😄
October 11, 2022
I bought it as a 99p bargain as I like the man. As a Liverpool fan though I can’t say I enjoyed haha.
December 25, 2023
Karena melihat performa Manchester United (MU) di musim ini yang cukup menyedihkan, saya pun jadi lebih suka membaca perjalanan hidup beberapa pemainnya lewat buku. Salah satunya adalah buku otobiografi dari Patrice Evra ini.
Di buku ini, Evra menceritakan tentang awal hidupnya yang tinggal di daerah pinggiran Prancis sampai menjadi pesepak bola terkenal seperti sekarang. Salah satu cerita yang saya soroti adalah ketika ia menjadi pemain MU. Ia datang ke MU pada Januari 2006 dan masih harus beradaptasi dengan lingkungan di sana. Jika sebelumnya di Monaco ia bermain begitu bagus, ketika di MU ia malah menunjukkan performa yang kurang memuaskan. Lantas, ia jadi merasa tidak betah bermain di sana. Untungnya, dukungan Sir Alex Ferguson (SAF) terhadap dirinya tidak pernah padam, sehingga Evra bisa membuktikan bahwa ia adalah bek kiri yang layak mengisi posisi utama dalam setiap pertandingan dan akhirnya ditunjuk sebagai kapten.
Selain itu, ia juga menceritakan tentang konfliknya bersama Luis Suarez ketika ia menyebut Evra sebagai "negrito" pada 2011. Dari aksi tersebut, Suarez mendapatkan hukuman larangan bertanding oleh FA. Meskipun begitu, beberapa tahun kemudian, hubungan antara Suarez dan Evra menjadi baik dan tidak ada lagi perseteruan di antara mereka.
Untuk kisah Evra bersama Timnas Prancis. Saya baru tahu bahwa pada Piala Dunia 2010 ada konflik internal yang terjadi di dalamnya. Saat itu, Anelka yang dianggap menghina sang pelatih harus dipulangkan lebih cepat karena sikapnya tersebut. Evra sebagai kapten, merasa tidak terima dengan keputusan dari pelatih sehingga ia mengumpulkan rekan setimnya untuk menolak berlatih sebagai persiapan untuk pertandingan selanjutnya. Dari masalah tersebut, Evra jadi tidak dimainkan dan jabatan kaptennya harus dilepas. Ketika ternyata Timnas Prancis dipastikan tidak lolos fase grup dan akhirnya pulang kampung, media-media di sana malah memojokkan Evra dan ia dianggap sebagai contoh kapten yang buruk.
Itu hanya sedikit kisah yang diceritakan Evra di sini. Sebab, masih banyak kisah lainnya yang akan ia ungkapkan di buku ini.
Di buku ini, Evra menceritakan tentang awal hidupnya yang tinggal di daerah pinggiran Prancis sampai menjadi pesepak bola terkenal seperti sekarang. Salah satu cerita yang saya soroti adalah ketika ia menjadi pemain MU. Ia datang ke MU pada Januari 2006 dan masih harus beradaptasi dengan lingkungan di sana. Jika sebelumnya di Monaco ia bermain begitu bagus, ketika di MU ia malah menunjukkan performa yang kurang memuaskan. Lantas, ia jadi merasa tidak betah bermain di sana. Untungnya, dukungan Sir Alex Ferguson (SAF) terhadap dirinya tidak pernah padam, sehingga Evra bisa membuktikan bahwa ia adalah bek kiri yang layak mengisi posisi utama dalam setiap pertandingan dan akhirnya ditunjuk sebagai kapten.
Selain itu, ia juga menceritakan tentang konfliknya bersama Luis Suarez ketika ia menyebut Evra sebagai "negrito" pada 2011. Dari aksi tersebut, Suarez mendapatkan hukuman larangan bertanding oleh FA. Meskipun begitu, beberapa tahun kemudian, hubungan antara Suarez dan Evra menjadi baik dan tidak ada lagi perseteruan di antara mereka.
Untuk kisah Evra bersama Timnas Prancis. Saya baru tahu bahwa pada Piala Dunia 2010 ada konflik internal yang terjadi di dalamnya. Saat itu, Anelka yang dianggap menghina sang pelatih harus dipulangkan lebih cepat karena sikapnya tersebut. Evra sebagai kapten, merasa tidak terima dengan keputusan dari pelatih sehingga ia mengumpulkan rekan setimnya untuk menolak berlatih sebagai persiapan untuk pertandingan selanjutnya. Dari masalah tersebut, Evra jadi tidak dimainkan dan jabatan kaptennya harus dilepas. Ketika ternyata Timnas Prancis dipastikan tidak lolos fase grup dan akhirnya pulang kampung, media-media di sana malah memojokkan Evra dan ia dianggap sebagai contoh kapten yang buruk.
Itu hanya sedikit kisah yang diceritakan Evra di sini. Sebab, masih banyak kisah lainnya yang akan ia ungkapkan di buku ini.
March 29, 2023
Patrice Evra had quite the football career. An elite level left-back, with various honours at Manchester Utd and the French national team, his autobiography I Love This Game (2021) has him tell his rags-to-riches story very much in his own exuberant voice, detailing the numerous highs and occasional headline-grabbing lows.
His infectious love of the game and passion to play, even through injuries, is admirable and as such, makes this an effortless read (if you're a fan of the sport and especially if you support Man U - his love for that club is screamed throughout).
There is a strange, tonal anomaly though with his sharing about an episode of child abuse that he endured right at the start of the book that is barely touched on again right at the end. It seemed shoe-horned in as the next 300 pages are purely football based. I've no doubt whatsoever about the legitimacy of the incidents but it was worthy of further exploration with regards to his personality and any trauma that it no doubt caused. That aside, this is an often funny story of a young immigrant from Senegal who grew up in a poor suburb outside Paris who broke into the professional game against the odds and very much on his terms. It is hard to read this and not like the guy. Good.
His infectious love of the game and passion to play, even through injuries, is admirable and as such, makes this an effortless read (if you're a fan of the sport and especially if you support Man U - his love for that club is screamed throughout).
There is a strange, tonal anomaly though with his sharing about an episode of child abuse that he endured right at the start of the book that is barely touched on again right at the end. It seemed shoe-horned in as the next 300 pages are purely football based. I've no doubt whatsoever about the legitimacy of the incidents but it was worthy of further exploration with regards to his personality and any trauma that it no doubt caused. That aside, this is an often funny story of a young immigrant from Senegal who grew up in a poor suburb outside Paris who broke into the professional game against the odds and very much on his terms. It is hard to read this and not like the guy. Good.
February 6, 2022
I like to read a Footballer's autobiography. As a fan of the game they are light to read, offer an insight to what went on behind the scenes and the relationship with other players, the managers and the fans. It allows the true stories to come out rather than the sterile interviews they always seem to give after a game.
Evra's story is all of this and more and he reveals the appalling abuse he suffered as a child. Successful players mostly seem to come from deprived backgrounds but with a strong and loving parent or parents who provide them with the support that is needed to make it to the top.
Evra documents his childhood in France and his rise to the top with Manchester United and his struggles along the way. A powerful, joyful personality comes through as well as his anger and depression when injured. His love of United stays with him long after he leaves in spite of the "crap Manchester weather".
One interesting fact was the intensity of the training at Juventus and monitoring of everything they ate and did in contrast to the training at United where "he won everything."
A good book that takes you away from the stresses of life.
Evra's story is all of this and more and he reveals the appalling abuse he suffered as a child. Successful players mostly seem to come from deprived backgrounds but with a strong and loving parent or parents who provide them with the support that is needed to make it to the top.
Evra documents his childhood in France and his rise to the top with Manchester United and his struggles along the way. A powerful, joyful personality comes through as well as his anger and depression when injured. His love of United stays with him long after he leaves in spite of the "crap Manchester weather".
One interesting fact was the intensity of the training at Juventus and monitoring of everything they ate and did in contrast to the training at United where "he won everything."
A good book that takes you away from the stresses of life.
January 9, 2022
It’s a honest book about his football journey and everything that’s comes been a footballer.
The book brings you closer to his path being a kid troubled kid in Les Ulis and to becoming a legend at Manchester United. The book is mainly targeted Manchester United fans, but other football fans will also appreciate it.
This book is for you, if you enjoy understanding what’s behind a very passionate footballers brain, behind the scenes of his career. The book will definitely be more interesting if you have been a United fan and can remember the incidents happening. If you miss the last puzzles of the things you thought you knew in France catastrophe World Cup tournament, the champions league nights and the Marseille fan that got kicked, you will like this book.
The book is a easy read also for people who haven’t followed Manchester United, but you need to have some kind of interest for football or sport.
The book brings you closer to his path being a kid troubled kid in Les Ulis and to becoming a legend at Manchester United. The book is mainly targeted Manchester United fans, but other football fans will also appreciate it.
This book is for you, if you enjoy understanding what’s behind a very passionate footballers brain, behind the scenes of his career. The book will definitely be more interesting if you have been a United fan and can remember the incidents happening. If you miss the last puzzles of the things you thought you knew in France catastrophe World Cup tournament, the champions league nights and the Marseille fan that got kicked, you will like this book.
The book is a easy read also for people who haven’t followed Manchester United, but you need to have some kind of interest for football or sport.
September 12, 2024
A compelling autobiography from a talented and passionate player. This is honest and compelling stuff. From a start in French slums and suffering horrific abuse, Evra follows his passion into football and through a number of clubs. Man Utd seemed to be his natural place to express his skills and personality but he also made a significant contribution at Juventus (the training regime was astonishing to read about). Fascinating to read about his time with a French team in crisis, an honest perspective from inside the team. Patrice Evra comes over as a great guy and deserving of the considerable silverware he picked up.
January 18, 2022
A brilliant book from an incredibly inspirational man. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but Patrice Evra really didn't hold back. From the very first page the book was filled with emotion. It felt like we were able to follow Evra on his life journey and really get to know him. That's exactly what you want from an autobiography. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone. As a Manchester United fan I knew from the moment it was released that I had to read it.
January 21, 2025
3 Stars may seem harsh, and I don’t mean it to be harsh, but I was left wanting more all the time.
So many stories that I felt could have been longer and more expansive.
It really is fascinating hearing the details that did come out about some amazing teams and personalities.
I appreciate Patrice giving us insight into the very personal story of his life and for loving the beautiful game.
This is still a very good read for any ManU or Eva fan.
So many stories that I felt could have been longer and more expansive.
It really is fascinating hearing the details that did come out about some amazing teams and personalities.
I appreciate Patrice giving us insight into the very personal story of his life and for loving the beautiful game.
This is still a very good read for any ManU or Eva fan.
May 4, 2025
4.5
Uwielbiam biografię pisane z perspektywy pierwszej osoby. Mam wrażenie, że siadam razem z bohaterem przy jakimś dobrym napoju i słucham jego historii.
W tym przypadku, jest ona na dodatek świetna. Evra jest taki jakim zapamiętałem go z boiska oraz z wywiadów. Szczery do bólu i pełen pasji. Zawsze z uśmiechem na ustach, który jednak ukrywał tragiczne wydarzenia z jego przeszłości, którymi zdecydował się podzielić.
Polecam z całego serduszka nie tylko fanom United, czy samego zawodnika.
Uwielbiam biografię pisane z perspektywy pierwszej osoby. Mam wrażenie, że siadam razem z bohaterem przy jakimś dobrym napoju i słucham jego historii.
W tym przypadku, jest ona na dodatek świetna. Evra jest taki jakim zapamiętałem go z boiska oraz z wywiadów. Szczery do bólu i pełen pasji. Zawsze z uśmiechem na ustach, który jednak ukrywał tragiczne wydarzenia z jego przeszłości, którymi zdecydował się podzielić.
Polecam z całego serduszka nie tylko fanom United, czy samego zawodnika.
January 16, 2022
I love this book !!!
I really enjoyed this book, as Evra doesn’t hold back when explaining what happened with his club’s & controversies & more to the point what happened when he played for his country.
It’s a great read & one that made me chuckle & smile, yet feel sad at times & also angry.
I really enjoyed this book, as Evra doesn’t hold back when explaining what happened with his club’s & controversies & more to the point what happened when he played for his country.
It’s a great read & one that made me chuckle & smile, yet feel sad at times & also angry.
December 15, 2024
What an incredible, smart human and an amazing football player! Nobody plays the game like him and a couple of guys anymore. These days, football players only care about money and deals and contracts. That's it. Come at me with your pitchforks, but again, nobody is like Patrice or Becks or Rooney anymore.
June 30, 2023
The story of a cult hero for one of United's great defenders and his journey with sir Alex Ferguson, in Italy and french football (the untold stories and setbacks that makes french football what is right now )
Every page keeps you wanting more totally recommend this to all football fans.
Every page keeps you wanting more totally recommend this to all football fans.
January 18, 2024
Absolutely brilliant football book,one of the best football autobiography out there.Evra is brutally honest about things that happened in his younger life and his tough route to becoming a proffessional Footballer and Manchester united and French legend.i highly recommend this book.
December 12, 2021
Absolute admiration for this man and his journey. A must read ! PS: You have to love Andy Mitten and his ability to tell a story.
December 31, 2021
I loved this book, sad and funny.
January 9, 2022
I enjoyed this, as honest as he could be, an incredible life story, he’s good craic too
January 22, 2022
A great insight into key moments of Evra’s life and career, with some honest reflections.
February 5, 2022
A good football memoir that doesn't try to have an edge, while actually having being more than just a simple account of a career.
March 19, 2022
True Red Devil. True legend.
August 24, 2022
Good read about a player I wish had signed for Liverpool
October 14, 2022
Football runs through his veins
From the start to the finish it is clear how much Patrice adores football. I love him for his passion and for loving man utd
From the start to the finish it is clear how much Patrice adores football. I love him for his passion and for loving man utd
December 4, 2022
Honest Account
Liked Evra as a player but this book gives an honest account of his life and his ups and downs in Football and addresses his own personal flaws
Liked Evra as a player but this book gives an honest account of his life and his ups and downs in Football and addresses his own personal flaws
December 6, 2022
Amazing book from start to finish. A true journey from his life in football.
January 9, 2023
Possible to make it through tough times. Great book about and by a happy character.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews