-
Patrick Vieira was one of the Premier League’s greatest ever midfielders.
-
After a successful playing career, he is building a new career as a football manager.
-
His success at Arsenal was a springboard for building a large net worth.
Patrick Vieira, born in Dakar, Senegal in June 1976 was one of the greatest midfielders of the last 20 years, a complete player who combined power, technique and stamina.
He won a wealth of team and individual honours during his playing career, notably at Arsenal under the guidance of Arsene Wenger, at Internazionale, and for his national side France, having emigrated from Senegal as a child.
After retiring as a player, he has turned his hand to management at New York City and Nice and in 2021 returned to the English game when announced as the new manager of Crystal Palace.
How Much Is Patrick Vieira Worth?
Patrick Vieira has a net worth of £25m, unsurprising for someone who spent 15 years at the top of the game.
His revised Arsenal deal in 2003 saw Vieira earn £70,000 per week and after leaving for Italy his earnings remained substantial on the peninsula.
He brought in £3m per year at Juventus and £80,000 per week at Internazionale. At Manchester City his earnings dipped, with a basic wage of £25,000 a week.
However, as captain of Arsenal, and with 107 international caps, he was able to add millions to his wealth from sponsorship deals and image rights.
His managerial income at New York City and during a two-year spell at Nice would have fallen well short of what he got as a player.
Nevertheless, Vieira’s three-year contract at Crystal Palace will help consolidate his high net worth in addition to his property portfolio, and the fact he sold his Cheshire mansion for £2.3m in 2017.
Patrick Vieira Wife
Patrick Vieira is married to Cheryl Plaza Vieira, who was born in 1968 in Trinidad, making her eight years the senior of her husband.
They began dating when Patrick was at Arsenal, and it is thought that when Vieira was considering leaving the English game due to disciplinary problems in the Premier League and mixed form, it was his love for Cheryl that convinced him to stay.
Cheryl herself quit a secretarial role at the Treasury to move in with Patrick in North London, and immediately took French lessons, a clear sign of her devotion.
Cheryl has a daughter from a previous marriage that Patrick raises as his own. They are a deeply private couple who understandably reveal nothing of their life on social media channels.
There are even doubts as to when and where the couple married, as they commendably do not publicise their relationship.
Patrick Vieira Trophies
It should surprise no one that Vieira won a significant haul of trophies during his playing career. It was at Arsenal where he cemented his reputation and silverware followed.
During his nine years at the club he won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, winning a domestic double twice.
His success continued at Internazionale after an underwhelming season at Juventus, winning three successive Serie A titles and the Supercoppa Italiana twice.
Even in the twilight of his career he was part of Manchester City’s FA Cup winning squad of 2011, their first trophy in 35 years.
Domestic success was mirrored at international level, as Vieira was part of a France team that in a three-year period won the World Cup, European Championships and the Confederations Cup.
As a manager he is yet to replicate such success, but time is on his side. Many Premier League predictions point towards a tough season ahead for Vieira, however.
Patrick Vieira Invincibles
Vieira was the captain of the Arsenal side that went through the entire 2003/04 Premier League season without losing a game, the first team to do so for more than a century.
Though they would encounter less success in cup competitions, the squad would become known as the Invincibles.
Vieira struggled at first, having been sent off against Manchester United. He then picked up an injury and was not a regular for a couple of months. He soon overcame such problems though as Arsenal romped to the title, winning 26 games and drawing 12.
Vieira himself scored in the game that sealed the title, a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. He would also score in the final game of the season, to cap off a fine campaign.
Football odds and history demonstrate the magnitude of the achievement, and how unlikely it is to be replicated for many years.
Patrick Vieira vs Roy Keane
The rivalry between two of the Premier League’s greatest midfielders was intense and a huge story when Arsenal and Manchester United challenged for league titles and their two managers also clashed on the touchline.
Fans may recall one incident above all else, when the pair squared up in the tunnel prior to a league match in 2005. A comment from Vieira towards Gary Neville infuriated Keane, and teammates and referee Graham Poll had to keep the pair apart.
Keane later explained he thought the Arsenal players were bullying Neville and on that occasion it was the Irishman who had the last laugh as United triumphed 4-2.
In 2013, ITV aired a documentary on the rivalry between the two, in which they came face-to-face, talking about their successful careers and one of the great rivalries of the Premier League era.
Their clubs’ rivalry has waned too, with Premier League Odds odds suggesting Arsenal are some way from replicating their achievements under Vieira.
Patrick Vieira Man City
In January 2010, Vieira completed a move to Manchester City on a minimum six-month contract, at the age of 33. Vieira would eventually play 28 games for City, scoring three goals.
He was not a regular starter at the club, but manager Roberto Mancini appreciated the experience he brought to the squad.
After 18 months at the club, during which time City won the FA Cup, Vieira announced his retirement as a player but remained at Manchester City, taking on a youth development role.
In time he would manage the Elite Development team and remain at City until 2015, when he took up his first senior management role at New York City.
It seems his first post-player role at City provided a great education for Vieira to transition from player to manager. Such experience at City should help him avoid many of the pitfalls that leaves many football managers out of work.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Hassan Ammar / AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 27th July 2021
