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By TAMARA PRENN, SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER Published: 02: 55 AEDT, 25 November 2025 | Updated: 03: 50 AEDT, 25 November 2025 5 View comments Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra has revealed his dependency on painkillers during his playing career used to see him take up to 38 pills per day. The ex-France international shared the challenging reality of the life of a top-flight footballer as he announced that he would be coming on board as an investor in an all-natural anti-inflammatory pain management company KURK. Evra is keen to extol the virtues of the liquid curcumin - the active component in the spice turmeric - against the backdrop of his own journey with pain management on the pitch. The 44-year-old admitted that, such was the wear and tear baked in to his experience playing at the highest level, he likely only felt fully fit 'five times' stepping out on to the turf. 'I was taking 38 pills per day, ' Evra shared as he announced his personal investment in the brand, as well as his endorsement as a brand ambassador. 'I maybe played more than 700 professional games, and when people ask, 'How many games did you play where you felt 100 per cent fit? ' I would probably say maybe five. Patrice Evra has invested in an all-natural anti-inflammatory product and shared his experience with managing pain During his decorated playing career, the former Manchester United star believes he might take 38 pills a day to manage near-constant injury 'Throughout my career, I was constantly reaching for painkillers - it was part of the job. At that level, sometimes even if you're injured, you don't have a choice but to play. 'And what's the easy solution? Taking painkillers. ' Since retirement, Evra went on to admit, the former defender shared that he believes his biggest investment is 'investing in his body'. 'I think it's really important, ' he added. 'Today I think my role is to make sure the new generation understands the amazing product KURK created can save their football career, maybe have even more longevity and not get the same issue I got. ' A number of footballers have warned against the dangers of over-usage of painkillers in the sport for the same reasons cited by Evra, with former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland particularly outspoken about his addiction to Tramadol. The painkiller was added to the list of prohibited substances by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and is now banned in the game. Former Premier League star Ivan Klasnic won a £4million payout after he was repeatedly prescribed painkillers by a former club while suffering from kidney issues. Evra has been particularly impressed with the all-natural anti-inflammatory properties of KURK's product, taking to heart the company's motto of 'plants not pills'. 'This sums up my entire football career, ' he stressed. 'I believe in this product and I believe it's a life changer. We can help a lot of athletes and a lot of people. ' KURK co-founder Trent Scanlen added that the benefit of Evra's involvement was that he had 'lived the physical toll of elite sport'. 'So when he says KURK works, it carries real weight, ' he added. 'His passion for wellbeing and performance makes him the perfect partner to help us bring KURK to the world. ' Evra hung up his boots in 2018 with a final turn at West Ham, having notched up a total of 725 appearances at club level. The former Marseille star has since turned his hand to punditry, and even mixed martial arts fighting, with Evra set to take part in his first bout in May before it was postponed and moved to an as-yet unannounced date.
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