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N'Golo Kante trained as an accountant before becoming professional footballer

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12:  Ngolo Kante of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on August 12,
Image: N'Golo Kante trained as an accountant in his native France

N'Golo Kante has revealed that he is a trained accountant, and that he worked towards the qualification because he was not sure if he would make it as a professional footballer.

Kante has been a revelation since moving to the Premier League, winning the title for Leicester and Chelsea in both of his full seasons in England.

However, he endured a long journey to reach that level, and spent time in the French amateur leagues.

Kante said: "I was at Boulogne, in the second team - the sixth, then the fifth division. I wasn't professional, so I kept studying because I wasn't sure if I would be able to make a living as a footballer.

"When I was 18, I got my baccalaureate [the French A-Level equivalent] and after that I did two more years of study in accountancy.

N'golo Kante is comforted by France's coach Didier Deschamps
Image: Kante came off early in France's win over Bulgaria with an injury

"When I went up to the first-team, I became professional, so I stopped studying. I got my qualification in accountancy, but now I prefer to concentrate on football."

The story only serves to highlight the meteoric rise of Kante, who was a relative unknown before moving to Leicester in the summer of 2015.

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The French midfielder was nominated for the Ballon d'Or for the first time on Monday.

Kante has just returned early from international duty after picking up a suspected hamstring injury, and is due to be assessed by Chelsea's medical staff.