‘Your family’s health comes first’: New Manchester United signing Edinson Cavani reveals he almost QUIT football this summer after he and his girlfriend contracted Covid-19… as veteran striker considered ‘dedicating myself to my life in the countryside’
- Edinson Cavani and model girlfriend Jocelyn Burgardt battled coronavirus
- The 33-year-old striker suffered the health scare after leaving PSG in June
- Cavani put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Manchester United on Monday
Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani has revealed how he considered quitting football during the summer after he and his girlfriend contracted Covid-19.
The 33-year-old suffered the health scare after leaving French champions Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expired at the end of June.
‘Your family’s health comes first,’ Cavani told Argentine radio program Dos de Punta.
Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani has confessed he nearly quit football this summer
Man United completed the signing of free agent Edinson Cavani on a two-year deal on Monday
‘Of course I considered the idea of quitting football.
‘It is true that I managed that option and that possibility to stop playing and stay in the countryside, dedicate myself to my life in the countryside.
‘We have suffered through the coronavirus with my family and with my girlfriend. The truth is that it was bad because of the fear that it awakens. Thank God we recovered well and evolved well and here we are.’
Cavani was offered to a string of top European clubs before he put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Manchester United.
The 33-year-old Uruguayan and model girlfriend Jocelyn Burgardt contracted coronavirus
He added: ‘It is normal that anxiety begins to enter your mind. The leagues had started to compete and of course, I wanted to have a team.
‘There are things that are not given because they should not be given. I am of the idea that in life things come when they have to come and sometimes, no matter how much you want something, if it doesn’t have to happen, it doesn’t happen.
‘There was a lot of uncertainty and anxiety. Days began to pass and I saw my family, friends and everyone wanting to know where I was going to play. We are here, happy with the decision and now I want to put on the shirt.’
Cavani was ready to turn his back on football and focus on his life in the countryside
Cavani’s arrival is a boost for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has endured a frustrating window
United turned to Cavani at the culmination of what has proved another testing transfer window.
As Sportsmail revealed first, talks advanced quickly on Saturday and the Uruguay international striker completed a medical on Sunday.
The 33-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-year deal on wages of around £210,000-per-week after tax.
Cavani said: ‘Manchester United is one of the greatest clubs in the world, so it is a real honour to be here. I’ve worked really hard during the time off and I feel eager to compete and represent this incredible club.
‘I have played in front of some of the most passionate supporters in football during my career and I know that it will be the same in Manchester. I cannot wait to experience the Old Trafford atmosphere, when it is safe for the fans to return.’
