During his time at Manchester United, Edinson Cavani has become a popular player amongst the Red Devils fanbase.
Since signing on a free transfer in the summer of 2020 after his Paris Saint-Germain contract expired, the striker has been an effective presence on the pitch. He scored 10 goals in just 26 Premier League appearances last season. In addition, he has two goals in eight games this term.
But it’s other attributes that make Cavani popular.
Despite the team struggling for form as a whole this season, the Uruguayan hitman has been singled out on numerous occasions for his work rate, endeavour and desire.
Gary Neville praised Cavani in December during an otherwise scathing attack on United players.
He said: “Cavani takes that [negativity] away. I don’t think Cavani wilts in the presence of [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Bruno] Fernandes. I think he stands up to them and helps other young players on the pitch. He needs to be on the pitch.”
Read: Gary Neville singles out one Man United player for praise in ‘whingebags’ rant
The storied career of Edinson Cavani at PSG
Edinson Cavani knows all about working with strong egos from his time at PSG.
When he first joined the French giants in 2013, the inimitable Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the club’s star man. Never one to shy away from the spotlight on the pitch and in the media, the Swede was – and still is – a huge personality.
Read: Six times Ibrahimovic went ‘Full Zlatan’ throughout his career
Towards the end of Cavani’s PSG career, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Angel di Maria all joined the club. The Uruguayan became marginalised and subsequently left the Parcs des Princes at the end of his contract.
Read: Why PSG may regret rejecting Real Madrid’s huge bid for Kylian Mbappe
But throughout his career at the club, the competition would bring the best out of Cavani. His most prolific season came in 2016/17, where he netted 32 goals in 35 Ligue 1 appearances.
He was also impressive in the Champions League, scoring 30 times in 54 games across seven seasons. Although PSG did not win Europe’s biggest prize during Cavani’s time there, the forward certainly played his part in giving them opportunities.
Cavani’s shirt-signing gesture
Both PSG and Manchester United fans will not be surprised to see another example of Cavani’s selflessness emerge.
French journalist Roman Molina has revealed on his YouTube channel that in the Uruguayan’s time in France, most autographed shirts would not be hand-signed by a player. Instead, the shirt would normally be signed by another club employee.
Naturally, as a young fan, you would be disappointed to find this out. Although it is undoubtedly great to receive an autograph from your favourite player, it carries less authenticity if that particular player did not complete the signature. It is why autograph sessions are so popular – you know exactly what you are getting in that sense.
But Molina explains that one of the few players who didn’t allow another person to sign his shirt was Cavani.
The Uruguayan reportedly insisted that any shirt carrying his autograph had to be personally signed by himself. Molina adds that he is unsure whether the club policy is still in place today at PSG.
It is now 18 months since Cavani departed the Parcs des Princes – but it is becoming more evident as time goes on just how much of an impact he had both on and off the pitch during his time there.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
