Florian Tardieu, ASSE midfielder, recently spoke while answering questions from the city of Istres. Transcription.
Florian Tardieu (ASSE midfielder): “I'm 32 years old and I'm a player at AS Saint-Étienne. Already, my grandparents played football, my father played football, my big brother played football. So obviously, being the last of the family, I followed the elders and I always liked it. It's a family affair. My position on the field is defensive midfielder, in front of the defense. appreciate it, because we touch a lot of balls. It's a bit of a shadow position: there aren't many statistics, assists or goals, but it's a position where I've enjoyed a lot since I was little. never changed.
I started playing football at 4 years old, in the club where my father coached. My brother also started there. Until I was 7-8 years old, then I went to FC Istres, the biggest club in our city. Then, I joined the professional ranks, signing my first professional contract at Istres, where I played two years in Ligue 2. I never stopped, I always loved it, and it still continues today .
At 22, I left Istres to sign for England. Ultimately, this did not happen for various reasons, and I left for Sochaux. It was still a 6 hour drive. Leaving Istres was difficult at first, but it made me grow as a man and a footballer, and it strengthened my determination. Recently, with Troyes, I experienced the rise to Ligue 1, which we managed well, even if it was a somewhat “easy” climb. Playing in Ligue 1 is incredible. I arrived there at 28, a little late, but it's the dream of every French footballer: Ligue 1 is the highest level, the stadiums, the teams… It's incredible.”
ASSE, a club apart
Florian Tardieu (ASSE midfielder): “I signed for Saint-Étienne to join a coach that I particularly like, Laurent Batlles, who brought me here. There is a lot of excitement when you arrive at this legendary and popular club. Moving up to the League 1 with ASSE, it's incredible. After the climb, there was a crowd at the airport, and thousands of messages Here, you can feel the pride of the people. When we win, even the baker is happy. When we loses, everyone is disappointed, for me, it’s a passionate, almost “crazy” club, and it’s beautiful to experience that.
The club's objective was clearly to climb. Despite a complicated start and a roller coaster, we ended up joining the elite. The last matches were difficult, without a victory, but the play-offs went well. In the end, joining the elite like that is even more beautiful.
Becoming a footballer was a dream for me. Of course, it's not easy every day: we're far from family and we can't do anything. But I live from my passion, so I'm not complaining about it. I would have signed for this life, because for me, it’s nothing but happiness.”
