N'Golo Kanté: The humble superstar

Heroes & Humans of Football

Defensive midfielder N’Golo Kanté has left a huge legacy on football, yet hardly anything is known about him. How did this humble, fame-shy footballer become so beloved by barely saying a single world?

In this episode, Simon and Mehreen cover the reclusive Kanté, from poor beginnings in the Paris banlieues to bringing underdog Leicester to shock victory in 2016. They cover his rise to worldwide recognition and uncomfortable relationship with fame as he sees further success at Chelsea and for the French national team.

Together, they piece together an intricate picture of the human behind the hero of football. They cover stories of the well-meaning Kanté, who had never been to a birthday party until his 20s, drives a Mini Cooper, doesn’t want to be paid via offshore tax havens, and struggles with the concept of hiring a cleaner.

But of course, there’s a more unfortunate side to being the most genuine person in league football – a side that leads to Kanté being held at gunpoint thanks to advantageous agents, and business decisions that seem slightly out of character.

This is the story of how the zippy ‘vacuum cleaner’ who hoovers up the midfield became one of the universally-liked men in football.

Time stamps:

00:40: Introduction to N’Golo Kanté (NG)

03:59: Growing up in Paris

07:20: Beginnings in third division French football

10:01: Maturing on and off the pitch at Caen

15:00: Arrival and success at Leicester

20:35: Move to Chelsea and the big leagues

29:00: France win the World Cup

34:35: A ‘vacuum cleaner’ on the pitch and discomfort at recognition

40:13: Surprise comeback at Al-Ittihad

45:15: What if Kanté hadn’t been a footballer?

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