From millionaire World Cup winner to £4-a-day prisoner - how Benjamin Mendy's life crumbled

Nearly five years ago, Benjamin Mendy's wildest dreams had come true. Just a few days before his 24th birthday, he had reached the pinnacle of world football, achieving what every player aspires to accomplish.

Mendy, who'd risen from humble beginnings in the Parisian suburbs, lifted the World Cup trophy as part of a star-studded French squad alongside the likes of Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe. Weeks earlier, he'd won the Premier League with Manchester City in his first season at the club, after signing for £50m.

It appeared to be the astonishing first chapter in a career which would continue to bring reward and acclaim as part of a marauding City team hunting European glory - and a French squad looking to further dominate world football.

He seemed to have it all - a £4.8m Cheshire mansion, complete with swimming pool and cinema room; a £100,000-a-week salary; and a playboy lifestyle to boot. But in those intervening years, Mendy's world has come crashing down around him.

Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features

Before the time the next World Cup in Qatar came around, Mendy was in prison, earning just £4 a day to feed himself. Despite being cleared following two crown court trials, Mendy's reputation lies in tatters and his future in professional football looks uncertain.

Mendy was a jovial figure at his trial. He spent months in the imposing surroundings of Chester Crown Court within the Castle complex in the historic Roman city.

His outward emotions did not portray any indication of just how high the stakes were for him. Making his way inside the Grade I-listed building, past the glare of the photographers and cameramen, he was happy to share a joke with court