Regular game time at Arsenal wasn’t enough for Alex Song – who “didn’t give a f***” about warming Barcelona’s bench to become a millionaire.
Song, who celebrates his 37th birthday today (September 9), had been with the Gunners since 2005, first signing on loan aged just 17 and going on to make 205 appearances across all competitions under Arsene Wenger. He was a reliable defensive midfielder for their French boss, making him one of the first names on the teamsheet.
His Premier League form attracted attention from the Catalan giants, who made a £15million offer for his services in the summer of 2012. At the time, Barca boasted their star-studded midfield of Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
So Song was under no illusions he’d be anything but a back-up option used primarily from the bench and in cup competitions. But that was of no concern to him, “not thinking twice” before putting pen to paper on a five-year deal which earned him a reported pay rise from £55,000-a-week to £70k.
Recalling the moment while on an Instagram live with fellow Cameroonian and NBA star Pascal Siakam in 2020, he said: “When Barcelona offered me a contract, and I saw how much I would earn, I didn’t think twice.
“I felt my wife and children should have comfortable lives once my career is over. I met Barca’s sporting director, and he told me I would not get to play many games, but I didn’t give a f*** – I knew that now I would become a millionaire.”
Song had been on good money at Arsenal, earning £15k-a-week in just his first contract. But the lavish lifestyle he led in the English capital drained his earnings.
He detailed one costly purchase in particular – buying the same car as Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, which he returned within two months due to how much it was costing him in petrol.
“Most footballers live beyond their means. I was at Arsenal for eight years but only began to earn a good living in the last four,” Song admitted.
“That was because my salary went up a lot — but also because I came to realise what a waster I was. During my entire time at Arsenal, I couldn’t even save £100,000, while people thought I must be a millionaire.”
He’d spend just two seasons playing for Barca before returning to London for two loan spells with West Ham, departing permanently in 2016 to join Russian club Rubin Kazan. Song went on to also represent Swiss side Sion and Arta Solar 7 in Djibouti before retiring last November.
