Cavani's treatment of PSG staff before Man Utd move summed him up perfectly

02 July 2023 , 08:15

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Edinson Cavani was adored by those he worked with at Paris Saint-Germain

Edinson Cavani's supreme quality in front of goal is well-documented by this point, the man has scored goals for the likes of Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.

What isn't as well-known is what the Uruguayan is like off the pitch. However, those who have seen Cavani operate up close know that not only is he a model professional, but also a fantastic person who makes sure to care for and check in on everyone associated with the club he is at - not just fellow players and coaching staff.

Now of Spanish side Valencia, Cavani's career is winding down, but when he does hang up his boots he'll have the respect of everyone who crossed paths with him away from the glare of a match-day.

His longest spell at one club came at PSG, where he spent seven years leading the line for the Ligue 1 titans. During that time, he clearly grew close to those who help keep the club ticking over on a day-to-day basis.

An extract from his autobiography; El Matador, by Romain Molina, explains how Cavani would go the extra mile to be courteous to those around him and keep himself grounded.

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"One day, he did a photo shoot for Hugo Boss, who is a partner of PSG," the extract reads. "At the end of the shoot, Cavani asks for the reference of a costume he likes. The photographer tells him he can take it, a brand manager confirms it.

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Edinson Cavani is a model professional on and off the pitch (Getty Images)

"But Cavani refuses, explaining that he earns a lot of money and that he does not need to be given a gift. He just wanted to know the reference to buy the same one. He took two and at Hugo Boss, it was the first time we saw a PSG player do that. It's a little trick. But there is only Cavani who does that."

It continues, adding how he would mingle with those outside of the dressing room and has remained in touch with the place that raised him, the Uruguayan city of Salto.

"He used to often go and eat with club employees and not the 'stars'. He used to always talk with the cleaning ladies, with the housekeepers.

"Do you realize that Cavani spent a month in his hometown in Salto while on vacation? In the middle of winter there! It was 7 degrees and he got there by regional bus.

"Six-hour drive! When you earn €16million per year, it is not common."

By all accounts, Cavani was a delight to work with at Old Trafford as well, with very little controversy ever being linked or blamed on him. Which, given the level of dressing room leaks that plagued the tail-end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign, is rather impressive.

Josh O'Brien