Benoit Assou-Ekotto Buys Boots on EBay, Won't 'Prostitute Myself for a Sponsor'

Former Tottenham Hotspur left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto has revealed that he buys his football boots from eBay.

The 31-year-old's refreshing revelation is a break from the norm for professional footballers, who usually pair up with major brands.

But not for the often-outspoken Assou-Ekotto, now at Ligue 1 side AS Saint-Etienne, who has quite the argument for not engaging in that side of the sport.

"I'd rather be free than to prostitute myself for a sponsor," he told Canal+ (via Daily Mail). "In all honesty, when you're an African player, it's not that interesting to have a sponsor. When you're European, it's better because business is done in Europe."

Assou-Ekotto, who once described football as "just a job," joined Spurs from RC Lens in 2006 and spent eight years at White Hart Lane before being loaned out to Queens Park Rangers and was eventually released from his contract in February last year.

The Cameroon international says he chooses to buy his boots online for around £23 and thinks it's a point of difference between himself and the modern footballer.

"I buy shoes for €30. It's a good price for comfortable boots," he said. "You can find them on eBay, and they're not expensive. Being fashionable is expensive, but you're more distinguished to be vintage."

[Daily Mail]