French forward Eric Cantona is widely regarded as one of Manchester United’s greatest ever players but turned his back on football aged 30 to try new experiences
Eric Cantona has become a musician
Eric Cantona is pursuing a career in music - 26 years after quitting football for acting.
The Manchester United icon, who announced his shock retirement from football aged 30 in 1997, has released his debut EP called ‘I’ll Make My Own Heaven’. The release coincides with his first ever live tour, with all UK dates sold out “due to overwhelming demand”.
Cantona will playing “intimate” live shows throughout October at Manchester’s Soller Hall and London’s Bloomsbury Theatre. He will also be entertaining fans at Dublin’s Liberty Hall.
Cantona’s four-track EP features a mix of English and French speaking songs. The tunes are called ‘The Friends We Lost’, ‘Tu Me Diras’, ‘I’ll Make My Own Heaven’ and ‘Je Veux’. He’s previously featured as a guest artist, but this is his first solo venture as a musician.
“Writing is a way for me to exist, as only my existence can result in writing this way,” said Cantona to promote his new EP. “Music has always been a part of my life. I’ve always had music playing. Why start today, so many years later?
“Simply because I had lacked the time before. During lockdown, I finally managed to give the guitar a serious go, and even though I’m still a poor guitarist, I felt confident enough to whip a few songs into shape.”
Cantona will be accompanied by a small band for his upcoming shows. He added: “Next year, I’ll be playing with a band, but for now I’m starting with a modest piano and cello to play alongside me in intimate venues. I’ll be starting in Manchester, because it’s a city that has stayed with me so much. For the football of course, but also the general atmosphere.”
Cantona is one of Manchester United’s greatest ever players (
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As well as music, Cantona is also passionate about acting, poetry and photography. Yet the Frenchman will always be best remembered for his stellar footballing career, winning five English league titles during his time with Leeds and the Red Devils.
Cantona stunned European football when he retired 26 years ago. He was still one of the best players in the Premier League at that point, with United going on to win the Champions League without him in 1999. Yet Cantona doesn’t regret quitting football.
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“If I lose the passion, the fire, I will stop and try to do something else,” Cantona told Mirror Football in 2012. “But those that still play and still have the fire, it’s good. I would have loved to have this fire forever and try to play forever. But I lost it and retired.”
Cantona has enjoyed a career in acting since his retirement, appearing in Elizabeth, French Film and Looking for Eric. He also often appears in advertising campaigns - promoting the likes of Nike and Kronenbourg 1664 - and at public events.
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