My missus has met him. The first thing she said to me was "he's quite rugged and handsome isn't he"
(I have since ditched my man-bag and grown stubble.)
Obviously it's his choice. And it's our choice to comment if we think he's being and over-pampered precious fool. We're talking about kids here ffs. If it was adults I'd feel a lot different, but it's school children excited about seeing an idol.
The OP said it was the player who complained. And my response is in the context of this. If you're suggesting the OP is inaccurate or lying then fine, but that's a different discussion.
And if the player did complain I maintain it's overblown; if a pro-athlete (not to mention a father) can't...
I'm struggling to understand why the footballer can't just deal with this himself. How difficult is it to smile and say "Sorry, not today guys"? It's really this simple. His overblown approach smacks of typical footballer preciousness. Part of me is wondering if he also rolled around clutching...