Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho has spoken about his work helping disadvantaged communities in Africa.
The former Liverpool star visits the continent every summer where he distributes free food, drink and medical supplies with his charity.
Born to Senegalese parents, life was tough growing up in a poor Paris suburb as one of seven siblings who had to cope after their father died at 13.
Those childhood experiences shaped the France international and he has always vowed to one day give back.
“I want to give hope to these kids because when I was young, I’d have loved someone to have come to me and just talk to me,” he said speaking to the Who We Be Talks podcast.
“Even small words, I could keep in my mind like, ‘Work hard and believe in yourself’. So every morning I would wake up with these words. A footballer can be on holiday but taking time to speak with someone I think can change a life. And this is my objective.
“I know what hunger is, I know what cold is, so for me it’s nothing. Every year I give 20 tonnes of rice where my parents grew up in a village in Senegal.
“One day I saw a mother who had walked for three days to see us. She came with two kids, but one was sick and had died on the way.
“When you see things like this, you realise some things in life are not important, which is why I like to step back about everything that happens to me in life. I always say thanks to God.”
When he was part of the youth set-up at Paris Saint-Germain, Sakho launched ‘Association Mamadou Sakho’ which undertakes charitable work in France, UK and Africa.
“When I was young, I always said to myself if I become someone in sport or even a teacher, I would give back with my own force,” he said.
“Everyone can help with what they have. If it’s only salt you have and can give salt, then do it. If you have enough money to build a city, then do it.
“When I was 18 or 19 I started, and last summer, I went to seven countries in Africa where I visited an orphanage, a jail, a hospital. I brought a lot of medication and other things.”
But the 29-year-old, who Palace signed from Liverpool in 2017, says he feels uncomfortable about being referred to as a role model.
“When people say I am an example, I don’t want to be an example,” he added. “I just try to do life with my vision. Some people like it, some people don’t like it. I don’t want people to say I’m a good guy because I don’t need it. I’m doing these things because I really feel it.
“If people want to do the same because I am doing it, then OK. If I can help 10 people and you can help one, together we can help 11 people and I am happy. If that is not your mentality, then I accept too, life is like this for me.”