Micah Richards received a “look of disgust” from a Manchester United legend after he found out about his most outrageous purchase.
Richards famously “burst onto the scene” as a 17-year-old and quickly became an England international debuting at just 18 years of age.
His salary progression was meteoric – starting at £500-a-week, then jumping to £5,000, and eventually reaching an impressive £50,000-a-week. This substantial income was further supplemented by bonuses, appearance fees, and a significant signing-on payment.
Like many young footballers with sudden wealth, Richards indulged in luxury vehicles including a Range Rover, Aston Martin, and Ferrari. However, one particular extravagant purchase drew criticism from a respected teammate.
Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole, who played alongside Richards at Manchester City toward the end of his career, was visibly unimpressed by the young defender’s financial priorities.
The item that provoked Cole’s reaction was an ostentatious diamond-encrusted Jacob & Co timepiece that Richards still possesses today, though he admits it hasn’t aged well.
“Do you remember Jacob and Co watches, with all the diamonds in?” Richards asked Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer during a conversation. “I went full in. I’ve still got it. The watch is ruined, the diamonds don’t even look real to be honest.”
The interaction with Cole left a lasting impression on Richards: “Andy Cole pulled me, didn’t he? He used to call me ‘topper’. He just looked at me in disgust and said, ‘What on God’s earth are you doing?’ He said, ‘you’re buying a £20,000 watch and you’ve not even got a house.'”
Richards initially dismissed the advice, thinking, “Who does this guy think he is, it’s my money I’ll do what I want.” But upon reflection, he realized Cole’s wisdom: “But then you go home and think about it and he’s actually right.”
Extravagant Lifestyle Led to Watershed Moment in Los Angeles
Richards’ spending habits extended beyond luxury watches to include expensive nights out with astronomical bar tabs. The turning point came during a trip to Los Angeles when Richards spent a staggering $150,000 in just one evening.
During a BBC’s Match of the Day top 10 episode, Richards confessed: “That was over $150,000 in a night. It was so over the top and we would be throwing in tips and we just wanted the biggest bottle (of Champagne). It was just short of $100,000.”
This excessive night changed his perspective completely. “And it was at that moment my mindset changed. I’d booked to go for a month, but I came home after three weeks, saying, ‘I can’t do this anymore. I can’t. I’m going to end up with no money.'”
Financial Growth and Career Evolution
Since his playing days, Richards has demonstrated considerable financial maturity:
- Made strategic property investments
- Developed a successful media career as a pundit
- Appears regularly on major networks including Sky Sports, CBS Sports, and BBC
Richards’ journey from financially reckless footballer to savvy investor and respected pundit showcases the importance of financial literacy for young athletes who suddenly find themselves with extraordinary wealth.
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