Monday 25 April 2016 21:53, UK
Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata empathises with those who believe football has become too commercialised and claims he would take a pay cut if the game was less business-orientated.
The Spain international concedes he is not comfortable with the corporate side of the game and he believes some young players become arrogant after turning professional.
"The business side of football makes it seem as though the owners are now more important than the fans," Mata said in a Spanish television interview.
"Every player thinks he's Diego Maradona when he joins a big club. That happens to all of us but then you notice it in the younger players.
"You see kids who think they're rock stars; wearing extravagant clothes and driving flash cars... sometimes you have to take them aside and have a word.
"I don't enjoy the business side of football. I love the game. I love training and competing.
"I'd take a pay cut if there was less business involvement in the sport."
Compared to the rest of society, we earn a ridiculous amount. It's unfathomable.
The 27-year-old also believes football players have become detached from the fans because of their astonishing earnings.
Mata moved to Old Trafford from Chelsea for around £37m in 2014 and is believed to earn around £150,000 per week.
And he has drawn comparisons between the wages of top footballers and others in society who have to deal with harsh economic reality throughout the world.
"Football is very well remunerated at this level. It's like we live in a bubble. Compared to the rest of society, we earn a ridiculous amount. It's unfathomable," Mata said.
"With respect to the world of football, I earn a normal wage. But compared to 99.9 per cent of Spain and the rest of the world, I earn a silly amount."
