Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has claimed that his life is not "normal" because he earns an "obscene" amount of money.
The Spaniard has admitted that he would happily take a pay cut if it meant that the sport was less of a commodity.
During an interview on Spanish news programme Salvados, Mata expressed sympathy for supporters in relation to the rising cost of football, and admitted that he is 'scared' by how protected his life is.
"I can understand what [the fans] are referencing," Mata said. "In the business of football, it seems the owners are more important than the supporters. It is nothing like the football of old, where there was not such a media involvement, or people with so many vested interests. I don't enjoy the business side of football. I love the game, I love training and competing. I'd happily take a pay cut if there was less business involvement in the sport.
"Football is very well remunerated at this level. It's like we live in a bubble. With respect to the rest of society, we earn a ridiculous amount. It's unfathomable. With respect to the world of football, I earn a normal wage, but compared to 99.9% of Spain and the rest of the world, I earn an obscene amount.
"I live in [a bubble]. Real life is the one my friends live. They've had to look for work, sign on to the dole and emigrate. That's normal life now. My life as a footballer is not normal. It scares me sometimes to think about just how protected I am. The smallest problem and someone will come and fix it for me. That's one of the aspects in which we don't live a normal life."
United spent £37.1m to sign Mata from Chelsea in January 2014.
Danielle Joynson
