Patrice Evra fights back tears in tribute after his mother passes away

Patrice Evra has announced the death of his mother in an emotional social media post, with the former Manchester United defender visibly fighting back tears as he paid tribute to the woman he called his rock.

The 45-year-old shared a video of himself singing Sexion D’Assaut’s ‘Avant qu’elle parte’ — ‘Before She Goes’ — before delivering a direct message to his followers. “I lost my rock, but I’m trying to stay positive,” Evra said. “For all the people who still got their mum, in death that doesn’t stop the love, just tell them you love them. Every single day before they leave. I love you all.”

In the caption accompanying the post, Evra wrote: “Even when the whole world is against you, she will always be your best friend. A mother’s love is forever, no matter what happens in life. Rest in peace, Maman. You will always be in my heart.”

Evra’s mother had been battling Alzheimer’s in her later years, but her health struggles stretched back further. In a previous interview, the former France international revealed that his mother lost her leg after being hospitalised in 2010 while he was away on international duty. He left the national camp to visit her, only to discover the extent of her condition upon arrival.

“When I arrived in the corridor, everyone was crying,” Evra recalled. “I went to the room. My mum was on the bed and I kissed her. Then I sat next to her. It was only when I pulled off the blanket, that’s when I saw the left leg was missing.”

That moment gave rise to one of the more personal and widely recognised gestures in Evra’s public life. For years, the former left-back has appeared in social media videos wearing only one shoe — a silent dedication to his mother. “Every time I do a video and I’m not wearing the left shoe, I dedicate all my videos to my mum,” he explained. “Every time I do a video, I just dedicate it to my hero, my mum.”

Evra, who made over 270 appearances for Manchester United between 2006 and 2014 and won five Premier League titles at the club, has remained a prominent and candid presence on social media since retiring from professional football.