Micah Richards burst onto the scene during his time as a Manchester City player.
Micah Richards once revealed what his first big purchase was when he earned big money at just 18 years old.
That switch from academy prospect to first-team regular brought more attention to Richards and he wanted to splash the cash.
Advert
Now a popular pundit, the 36-year-old has discussed how he handled that much money at a young age.
“Imagine going from £500 a week to five grand a week,’ he told The Athletic back in 2022. “And then going from five grand a week to 50 grand a week. Then you’d get bonuses, appearance money, a signing-on fee that was spread over the length of the contract.
“I remember one pay packet was like 250 grand for a month. I was at the training ground, just looking at my payslip, thinking, ‘Wow. How?’
Advert
“What can you do? I know what I did. I went straight out and bought myself a Ferrari.
“I already had a Range Rover and an Aston Martin, but I thought, ‘It’s time’. I bought myself a Ferrari, an F430. Then a 458 Speciale.”
Richards would go on to win the FA Cup and Premier League with City and he also played for England, but injuries stopped him fulfilling his full potential.
He went on to explain part of being a footballer at the elite level was always ‘wanting more’, which is why he also bought a more expensive house as a youngster.
Getty
The former Aston Villa man continued: “I started to look at houses in Hale. I bought this £3 million, seven-bedroom house and I was living with two brothers, two cousins, my best mate. Where I was living was already more than enough, but this is what happens when you’re a footballer. It’s always, ‘Who has the best house? Who has the best car?’. You can never just be content. You’ve always got to want more.”
Advert
In 2021, he admitted Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer he’d rack up huge bar bills and was given ‘too much too soon’.
One evening in Los Angeles changed Richards’ entire mindset. He’d spend $100,000 on a single bottle of champagne and realise it isn’t a sustainable lifestyle.
Richards added: “That was over $150,000 in a night. It was so over the top and we would be throwing in tips and we just wanted the biggest bottle (of Champagne). It was just short of $100,000.
“And it was at that moment my mindset changed. I’d booked to go for a month, but I came home after three weeks, saying, ‘I can’t do this anymore. I can’t. I’m going to end up with no money.”
Advert
After that, Richards decided to invest his money in property and his work in retirement isn’t out of monetary need.
News
What Jermaine Jenas’ wife Ellie did when he told her he’d been sacked for sending inappropriate texts to other women (an)
Jenas was axed by the BBC earlier this week following an investigation into his behaviour. Jermaine Jenas has revealed how his wife Ellie reacted to finding…
Paul Scholes names the player Manchester United should have signed instead of Manuel Ugarte (an)
The PSG midfielder is on the Old Trafford club’s transfer radar. Manchester United appear to be closing in on the signing of PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte to…
Liverpool ‘readying £70m move’ in final week of transfer window that would rock the Premier League (an)
Manchester United have been heavily linked with the player this summer. Liverpool could be about to send shockwaves through the Premier League with a late transfer,…
Ilkay Gundogan’s wife makes her feelings clear on him rejoining Man City after slamming ‘horrible’ food scene (an)
Gundogan is back at City – and his wife Sara Arfaoui has made his feelings clear on the move. Ilkay Gundogan’s wife has made her feelings…
Body language expert spots interesting detail in Jermaine Jenas’ final The One Show appearance (an)
The former presenter was sacked after four years working for the BBC. A body language expert has given their thoughts on Jermaine Jenas’ final appearance on…
Pep Guardiola says Man City will be ‘trembling’ when they play one team this season, it’s surprised everyone (an)
The Manchester City boss admitted he is afraid of one team. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed the one team that will leave his side…
End of content
No more pages to load