Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has revealed his inspiration to become a professional footballer; his deceased father.
His father played professional football before tragically died of a brain tumour.
Mkhitaryan told the Telegraph Sport that he was always his inspiration from a young age and continues to try and make him proud.
“He was my drive, he was my motivation, because when I was young he was playing football professionally and I was always dreaming about going with him to the training ground.
“Because of him, when we came back to Armenia [as a family], it was my dream to continue his work and to also be a football player.
“It [his death] was a pity but that is life and life continues. I just hope he is proud looking down at me from the sky because I try to do everything to make him proud.
“I would watch footage of him playing many times when I was young but football has changed a lot so if I watch now it’s just to remember the way he played.
“It’s sad because I think he could have helped me with his words and his support.
“I think on one side, yes [his death made me grow up faster] but on the other, no, because it is very difficult when you grow up without a father because in the family you don’t have a real man who can give you direction, discipline.
“But my mother became my mother and father, so I am thankful to her and all the people who were next to me at the time in a hard moment.”
Source: transfermarketweb.com