Samir Nasri revealed the freedom he enjoyed when he was a player in Seville, thanks to his former coach Jorge Sampaoli, who allowed him to drink alcohol and stay up late at night clubs as long as he performs well on the field.
The former French international enjoyed a remarkable shine period in the Andalusian team under the leadership of the Argentine coach in the 2016-2017 season after periods with Arsenal and Manchester City, and led the team to compete for the title before finishing the season in fourth place.
Nasri, 32, who is currently playing in Anderlecht, Belgium, recalled his eventful period with Seville and his unusual close relationship with his coach Sampaoli during an interview on Instagram yesterday.
"I had a friendship with Sampaoli," Nasri said. "He was more like my friend than my coach."
"Sampaoli loved me so much that he told me to join the team and you can drink wine and stay up late at night clubs and do whatever you want and I will support and support you. All I ask you to do well on the field at the weekend."
Nasri - who was called the "new Zidane" - added that "in fact, one time I was not able to play and I wanted to return to France to see my family and offered to take care of my house and my dog in Seville during my absence."
Nasri's good season began to collapse after he was given an intravenous injection at a medical center in Los Angeles, which eventually led to his 18-month suspension for breaching anti-doping rules.
"What happened in Los Angeles destroyed my season ... It was a legal injection of medical vitamins, but the medical center injected me with more than I expected ... psychologically destroyed because I thought I had been suspended for two years."
"I no longer wanted to play again. I told Sampaoli to let me go, but he always wanted me to play. I was worried and angry about everything. I did not show it on the field but football was over for me," Nasri added.