While Football Leaks has tarnished the names of several clubs and players over shady dealings, their latest revelation has boosted the image of one player. That man is N'Golo Kanta, the revered midfielder known as the most humble name in the game.
Their latest report, as per Mediapart, looks into how the World Cup winner dealt with his image rights upon his move to Chelsea. Unlike some of the biggest names in the sport -- Messi and Cristiano spring to mind -- the Frenchman refused to use an offshore company to receive payment for the aforementioned right despite the appeal of advantageous tax terms.
The Blues were eager to pay the then Leicester star through a tax haven in Jersey. The company was even created in Kante's name but he refused to be paid through it.
The London giant insisted on it, and for an obvious reason, as it would have resulted in less taxes on the player's wages for the club. Kante also stood to benefit from this, as he would have saved tons of money each year. The Frenchman, though, insisted on a normal salary as he did not want to land in trouble with authorities.
The midfielder's advisor told the Blues: "After reading numerous press articles on image rights and tax investigations against players and clubs, N'Golo is increasingly concerned that the set-up proposed to him could be questioned by the tax authorities.
"N'Golo decided that he did not want to take any risks."
Breaking | Football Leaks Headline: N'Golo Kanté created an offshore company, but then refused to be paid through it, despite Chelsea's insistence, with a source saying: "N'Golo is unflinching. He just wants a normal salary." (Mediapart)
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) November 14, 2018
In May 2017, the Premier League outfit reportedly pressured the player into reversing his decision. This move was met with a definitive answer from his advisor: '"N'Golo is inflexible – he just wants a normal salary."
This report, as the several other did, quickly grabbed the attention of many on social media. However, it was met with a positive reaction, as tweets hailing the World Cup winner over his integrity poured in.
LOVE THIS - Reports that N'Golo Kanté has refused to be paid his image rights through an offshore tax company despite Chelsea constantly insisting.
— SportNation (@TeamSportNation) November 14, 2018
"N'Golo is inflexible - he just wants a normal salary."
Nicest guy in football! pic.twitter.com/kGtcwlWd99
According to reports in France, N'Golo Kanté refused to be paid in a tax haven, despite Chelsea's insistence, because he "just wants a normal salary."
— TeamFA (@TeamFA) November 14, 2018
What. A. Guy. pic.twitter.com/gC4jqfCKdb
At this point you gotta admit Kante is the most humble and best role model footballer for young kids in the history of football. The worst thing football leaks could find on this man is that he wants to pay his taxes properly. Unreal https://t.co/LeiNO3Vo6K
— Meech (@Hustler_Futbol) November 14, 2018
N'Golo Kanté when Chelsea insisted on him frauding his salary pic.twitter.com/xKi1XVhA8g
— Xav Salazar (@XavsFutbol) November 14, 2018
He's small
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) November 14, 2018
He's nice
We love him
And he don't cheat on taxes
N'Golo Kante.... fa la la la la N'GOLO KANTE... https://t.co/ZtaYX5p1wZ
N'Golo Kanté refused to be paid in a tax haven despite Chelsea constantly asking.
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) November 14, 2018
"N'Golo said he just wants a normal salary"
I don't think it's possible for this man to do anything wrong!#CFC pic.twitter.com/KNJhnzGxkS
"N'Golo is inflexible - he just wants a normal salary."
— FourFourTweet (@FourFourTweet) November 14, 2018
N'Golo Kanté refused to let Chelsea pay his image rights into a tax haven. [https://t.co/zXFzLEDlom]
One of the most humble footballers you'll come across. pic.twitter.com/v8wwGL6P1T
N'Golo Kante, giving us another reason to want to pick him up and give him a big cuddle. pic.twitter.com/kq4CLuMxY5
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) November 14, 2018
After all the Football Leaks murky revelations, N'golo Kante emerges as something of a shining light - he refuses to let Chelsea pay his image rights into a tax haven. https://t.co/KR6U1Iiao4
— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) November 14, 2018
It's not all bad what we find in #FootballLeaks. Here we have N'Golo #Kanté refusing a tax evasion scheme and asking @ChelseaFC for just a normal salary. It's kind of sad that we have to celebrate that. But still: kudos to @nglkante. https://t.co/JlALcMKtP4
— Christoph Winterbach (@derWinterbach) November 14, 2018
N'Golo Kante is refusing to let #CFC pay his image rights through an offshore tax company
— ShotOnGoal (@shotongoal247) November 14, 2018
"N'Golo is inflexible - he just wants a normal salary."
The nicest man in football pic.twitter.com/etUUL7k9BV