CHILDREN AT a school in Limerick were overjoyed yesterday when French soccer star Patrick Vieira arrived for an impromptu PE lesson.
The former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder brought with him the FA Cup won by City last year to St Gabriel’s National School in Dooradoyle, as part of a week-long tour of Ireland.
St Gabriel’s School and Centre provides education and therapy services to 47 children and young adults with physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities and developmental delay.
“It is very good to be here today. I think when you are a footballer you are scoring goals and trying to win games but being here this morning is a different level,” said Vieira, who was also on the French teams that won the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000. “When you see the smiles of the kids, that is priceless and, as a football club, it is really important for us to be close to the community,” Vieira explained.
He added, it was important to come to Ireland because of the many Irish fans of the English Premiership. However, the reaction of children attending St Gabriel’s yesterday struck a deep chord with Vieira, who is now enjoying an off-field role with Manchester City.
“It is really difficult to find the words. As a footballer you always feel like you are privileged and I am healthy and you see some of the kids here who are struggling, to be honest, and to spend a few hours and try to make them smile, make the parents smile, I think is something that we should do more.
“To be around today really puts things in their place sometimes we take things for granted and being here at this school is fantastic. I met some lovely people who are dedicated and the job they are doing is unbelievable,” he added.
After 15 years playing at soccer’s top level, Vieira said he was now enjoying his new role as an ambassador for Manchester City.
“It is new, because of course, being a player for the last 15-20 years, you are always concentrating on what is happening on the field, but now I am learning about the other side and you see how many people are dedicated to try to make the football club successful.
“When you are working hard and you believe in the philosophy that you want to put in place, success will come. I think Man City try to be successful on and off the pitch and people work really hard to make the club successful and the players are doing their job on the field. When you match the two things together that gives you a successful football club.”