Manchester City midfielder James Milner says intrusions on their private lives is part of being an elite footballer these days.
Milner was forced to go in front of the media throng yesterday as news broke surrounding his England teammate Wayne Rooney, of Manchester United.
Milner said: "Some people might turn round and say, 'I've had enough, I don't need this, I just want to play football'.
"But, whatever job you do, there will be things you like and things you don't and that comes with the territory.
"We are very privileged to be representing this country, playing in front of thousands of people week in week out and enjoying what we do for a living - so we are very lucky.
"There are a lot of people who watch football games. Thousands come every week and there are kids with your name on the back of their shirt.
"They obviously look up to you and love what you do. You try to set standards on and off the field.
"Every person, whether they are in football or not, wants to be the best person they can.
"The way the business is now, every part of your lifestyle is on show.
"It would be ideal to do whatever you wanted, if lads wanted to go out and have a drink and not worry about getting pictured - at the right times obviously.
"But it's pointless saying what's ideal and what we'd like because that is the way it is and we get on with it. It would help if your life wasn't scrutinised with what you're doing in your personal life but that's football.
"You're in a privileged position to be doing what you're doing so there are highs and lows.
"On the off-side of the field you have to enjoy your life I suppose. But, for me, I'm just playing my football and doing as well as I can. The scrutiny doesn't take the enjoyment away for me.
"I'm ultimately here to play football and want to be the best player I can. I want to win trophies and win the most out of the game I can in the short space of time I'm lucky enough to be playing this game."
