QPR defender Joel Lynch has revealed that Arsenal legend Ian Wright was he wanted to be a footballer at a young age.
The 29-year-old defender wanted to play further forward as a kid but his coaches preferred to have him in defence.
And while Lynch used to support Arsenal, he now just focuses on the team he's playing for.
He said: “I keep myself to myself regarding football as it's my life. I don't get frustrated supporting a team.
“I used to support Arsenal in the Ian Wright days but since playing professionally I care about the results I'm playing for.
He added: “Ian Wright was just my idol and why I wanted to play football. I was bigger than everyone else so they stuck me at the back. He was the reason I wanted to be a footballer.”
Being a defender, Lynch would also look at the likes of Tony Adams and Martin Keown but he didn't have a defender he idolised in the same way as Wright.
Lynch added: “I like Adams and Keown and the way they were. I liked that about the way they played the game.
“They were tough and I wanted to bring that on the pitch. I had my own ideas and my own goals. I don't like to look up to anyone.
“I try and learn from people around me like Onuoha but in regards to idols, it's just Ian Wright.”
Away from football it's easy to see who Lynch's other hero was; Muhammed Ali.
The QPR defender's right arm has a picture of 'The Greatest' as well as a number of his key quotes and Lynch described the boxing icon as one of the greatest human beings to ever live.
He explained: “As I grew up, he was a big part of my life. He was a fantastic person to look up to. He stood for something.
“He believed in himself so much that he just achieved everything that not many human beings have achieved in their lives.
“He's probably one of the greatest human beings to live. He was confident in his ability and believed in himself. I think that's what I try and do.”
On Lynch's other arm, there are images of reggae icon Bob Marley and rappers 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G.
He said: “It's just people I looked up to, who stood for something and influenced me.”
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