Access to footballers has changed an awful lot in the past 50 years.
In the 1960s and 70s, it wasn’t uncommon for players and fans to share a drink together in the pub after a game.
But players are more protected and guarded about their business these days.
It’s hardly surprising considering they receive regular abuse and can get caught up in ugly matters if they’re not careful, like Manchester United’s Harry Maguire did in the summer.
The majority of high-profile stars are on social media but many accounts are managed by a savvy PR guru and not the players themselves, so you’re unlikely to hear back from your favourite player if you drop them a DM.
However, that wasn’t YouTuber ChrisMD’s attitude when he decided to message 100 footballers to see who would reply.
ChrisMD, whose real name is Chris Dixon, decided to direct message many stars including Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Harry Kane, Sergio Ramos and more.
Here are a selection of the messages Chris, an Arsenal supporter, sent:
Luis Suarez: ‘Fancy coming back to the Prem? Would be nice seeing you play Liverpool and bite the hand that used to feed you’.
Robert Lewandowski: ‘You could have killed Thanos and they still wouldn’t have given you the Ballon d’Or mate, feel for you'.
Kylian Mbappe: ‘You’ll never be the next Thierry Henry until you join the gunners mate, just a thought'.
David Luiz: ‘Fancy a knuckleball challenge? I’ve got 33 footballs and some hedges with our names on them’.
The goal was to see who would respond. And Chris did hear back from eight players.
West Ham’s Declan Rice told Chris that he regularly watches his videos, while FIFA 13 cult hero Fabrizio Miccoli even said he would be happy to collaborate with the YouTuber.
Chris also received responses from Lukas Podolski, Mason Mount, Phil Foden, Cesc Fabregas, Rob Holding and Felipe Santana.