Paris is refuge for Rudi
The Parc des Princes is home to the richest players on the planet – but for Rudi Vata it will always be the place that gave him his freedom.
The former Celtic star fled the stadium to start a new life in the west free from Albania’s communist grip.
And whi le PSG star Neymar earns £ 36million, Vata had just 50 dollars in his pocket as he made his bid for political asylum.
Vata spent four seasons at Celtic and helped win the Scottish Cup in 1995.
The Hoops play in Paris on Wednesday in their Champions League group encounter with the world’s wealthiest side.
But in March 1991, Vata turned his back on home after Albania were thrashed 5- 0 by France in the ground.
He said: “At the end of the game I walked out of the stadium still wearing my strip and boots. I had two Albanian friends waiting for me. They took me to a police station where I asked for political asylum.
“I had a t- shirt, a pair of jeans, my football boots and 50 dollars in my back pocket.
“A bit di f ferent from Neymar, I think.”
Celtic boss Liam Brady spotted Vata – who was playing as an amateur for Le Mans – in May 1992 and the young defender later moved to Parkhead.
Now he’ll watch the clash on Wednesday with mixed emotions – and predicted PSG’s money- fuelled rise will one day crash and burn.
Vata, whose son Rocco is at the Celtic Academy, said: “No-one can compete with the money PSG spend.
“But one day they will go back to reality. If they don’t win the Champions League in two years, I cannot see this investment continuing.
“Life changes all the time. My life is proof of that. When I grew up there was nothing in my country. But Albania reached the finals of Euro 2016 and our players all play abroad. I was the first but I did it the hard way.”