Rookie Vincent Marcel, trained in Le Havre then in Nice, scorer with the Aiglons in the Champions League against Ajax in 2017, symbolizes the new Croc ambitions. Like Nîmes Olympique, he wants to return to the high level. He said it to Midi Libre.
He is, for the moment, Nîmes Olympique’s main recruit for the 2024-2025 season. Vincent Marcel has known the top level and, like his new club, he aspires to find it again. Those who follow the National know. They know that the Guadeloupean, returning to France in 2023 after three anonymous experiences abroad, made a thunderous start to the championship with Orléans before getting injured in November.
But the attacking midfielder/winger had already caught the eye of crocodile sports director Sébastien Larcier, who signed him for two years last week. This Tuesday, Marcel explained the reasons for his choice to Midi Libre.
In Nîmes, we consider it a good move to have signed Vincent Marcel. Do you confirm?
I agree with that (smile). Without lacking humility, I think I can do interesting things.
In what position(s)?
In all attacking midfield positions. I can play in all three positions behind the striker in 4-2-3-1, or as number 10 in a 4-3-3. I have a preference for the axis. On the wing, rather to the right, on the wrong foot, because I am left-handed.
How did the negotiations with Nîmes go?
My agent spoke quite quickly with Seb (Larcier). When he informed me of the interest of Nîmes, I did not hesitate for a single second, I told him to go for it, even if I had an offer of extension from Orléans and other interests from the share of National clubs.
What do you know about Nîmes Olympique?
I have two friends with whom I was in Nice who played here very recently: Olivier Boscagli (today at PSV Eindhoven) and Patrick Burner (at the end of his contract, he leaves NO). I know that it is a club which has good supporters, which is used to Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, in a football city. These are criteria that make players want to come. Nîmes has nothing to do in National.
And does Vincent Marcel have anything to do in National? You have played 8 matches in L1, 8 in L2, 18 in National, 28 in N2, 3 in N3, 7 in European Cups… what is your level, ultimately?
(He thinks). I have the desire and the objective to go as high as possible but at the moment, I am a National player. I am in National in relation to errors, to my errors, to career choices.
A career that began in Le Havre, where you arrived at the age of 12 from your native Guadeloupe…
Le Havre had a collaboration with clubs from Guadeloupe. People from Hac noticed me during a tournament on my island. They immediately went to see my parents to offer me a trial. I went there for two weeks in December. I went from heat to snow, it was hard! But I signed there the following season. I played there from U13 to U19. I was an aspiring pro, but they didn’t keep me, particularly because I wasn’t very tall, I didn’t meet their physical criteria at that time. Nice had spotted me in U17 and gave me an Elite contract, two years trainee for three years professional.
And on August 2, 2017, at the age of 20, there was this goal with OGCN in the Champions League against Ajax (2-2), which qualified you for the play-offs. This is the pinnacle of your career. It was seven years ago. Does that seem far away to you?
It’s starting to get a bit long ago, yes. But it’s not something I necessarily talk to everyone about. It’s more the people of Nice who talk to me about it. It’s a goal, a step, but not a pinnacle. The best is yet to come.
What kept you away from this best, then, after the promises at the start of your career?
Looking back, I think I wasn’t aware enough of the world I was in, of how lucky I was. And that football was my job, not fun. It’s a very difficult world. It’s not because you have a professional contract that you’re going to stay right up there. Sometimes it’s not easy to have a club, you see all the doors closing… My daughters and my experiences abroad have made me aware of all this. I’ve had complicated experiences, but I’m happy with everything that’s happened to me: I’m coming out stronger and smarter.
What are you looking for in Nîmes?
I come to get almost everything (smile). The club gave me its confidence, I first want to give it back by playing. And go as high as possible with Nîmes, and why not go up.
Last question: how is your ankle after the operation in November and your three and a half month absence?
I was very good before this injury. She cut me off in mid-race. There was poor management of my return in March, I came back a little too quickly, and I struggled. But here too, I learned from my injury, and all that is behind me. I’m 100% again.
