Paris Olympics 2024 – French team – Arnaud Kalimuendo: “Lacazette or Benzema? I fear no one”

Arnaud, you are really in great form, four goals in the last three matches. Did something click for you?

Arnaud Kalimuendo: I wouldn’t know how to explain it to you, it’s something that is within me. I felt that it was the time to take on this role given the challenges at the end of the season. I simply want to win, I enter the field with this desire to destroy everything. Today I manage to be decisive, which I lacked a little before. I’m very happy because it helps the team, I have to continue like this because there is still one match left this weekend (editor’s note: it will be suspended on the last day) and I will give my all all the time to try to hook Europe.

You are transformed compared to this winter. Does confidence represent 50% of a very high level player’s performance?

AK: I would even say that confidence is at the origin of 70% of our abilities. From the moment we feel confident, individually and collectively and we feel the confidence in the eyes of our teammate, yes, that changes everything. It gives a real boost, it’s really important.

You have reached 15 goals in all competitions since the start of the season, we have the impression that you have finally found your cruising speed with Rennes.

AK: It’s interesting, yes. I reached the 15-goal mark, I had to score five penalties, plus a few assists. I must be involved in more than 20 goals in total, these are stats that feel good. This is my most prolific season since I became professional, it shows my evolution and that the work pays off. Even when things were bad I continued to work and I knew it would pay off one day.

Julien Stephan said at a press conference that he did well to hold you back this winter. I imagine you don’t regret your choice.

AK: No, I was focused on my end of the season. What happened happened and I was very happy to stay at Stade Rennais. I think it shows on the pitch, I always give my all for everyone who trusts me. I’m very glad I stayed.

Julien Stéphan also spoke about the evolution of your playing palette in recent weeks, do you agree with him?

AK: Yes, I notice that too. I am much better at keeping my balls and being much fairer in my choices. It’s the fruit of the work, these are things that I did upstream and which did not materialize on the ground. Over time, it takes shape and allows me to be the player I aspire to be. Without necessarily being happy with what I achieve, because I know that I can still do better.

Isn’t Rennes too nice or too quiet, where the pressure is not intense enough?

AK: Too kind ? No ! When we come here, we know it’s to play Europe. The pressure is put on internally and between us, players. So yes, we feel real pressure even if it is not comparable to that of PSG or Marseille.

Since the events in Metz (editor’s note: he caused a penalty, the expulsion of Mikautadze and scored the last Rennes goal), you have been copiously insulted on social networks. How did you experience this surge?

AK: It always hurts to see comments like that, especially for a football match. It’s especially difficult for my family. What people don’t see is that we have people close to us for whom it’s even more complicated. I think of my sisters, my brothers, my parents. I feel sorry for them because I can continue to manage. I know it’s part of being a public figure. But it especially hurts me for those close to me and those around me. It’s today’s society that is a bit like that with networks, these are things that are repeated. I am not the first and I will not be the last. But we must report this to the League and the authorities, to fight for our rights. These behaviors are not acceptable.

You are not the only young person who is shining at the moment in Rennes. At 18, Désiré Doué would almost make you look like an old hand. What do you think of his incredible season?

AK: He’s really… Phew… It’s difficult to describe this type of player because he has a lot of qualities. He sees everything very quickly, he is very intelligent and respectful as a young man. He has everything to go to the very, very high level. It’s up to him to confirm this great season because football is about repeating, repeating and repeating. He has his destiny between his feet But, today, it’s such a pleasure to see him playing and having fun.

You’ve been around a lot of cracks since you started. Is he the best of them all?

AK: Honestly, I’ve known a lot of them. I put him in my top 5 or my top 3. There is Warren Zaire-Emery, Lenny Yoro, Eduardo Camavinga and him in my top.

At 22, you are one of the strong men of the France Espoirs team and your generation is incredibly lucky to be able to play in the Olympic Games at home. Is this the most important meeting of your career?

AK: I wouldn’t say the most important but as an athlete, we have all dreamed of participating in competitions like this. But today I belong to a club and we’ll see what happens. I will respect the club’s decision. As a player, it’s a competition that is wonderful to play, especially in Paris for me who comes from the Parisian suburbs. It would be great to be able to make the Olympics but we’ll see…

What do the Olympics mean to you?

AK: I think of Usain Bolt, in the 100 meters, in basketball and the dream team too. It makes me dream. I haven’t seen the Michael Jordan generation but being able to meet the one who is going to come to Paris would be beautiful.

Thierry Henry can choose to call up three players who are over the age limit. Do you fear the arrival of a center forward in the team? We talked about Karim Benzema or Alexandre Lacazette.

AK: No, there is no fear. I am one player among many others and the most important thing is the selection, the French team. The coach must make choices that are fairest for the team. And we accept them. Afterwards, I am aware of my abilities, I fear no one.

What is it like as a center forward to be coached by a legend like Thierry Henry?

AK: I really learn a lot on a daily basis, it’s a blessing to have a player or rather a coach like him. He was a tremendous player. I watched him on video on Youtube and today he is giving me advice…

Is he more demanding of you as you play in his position?

AK: No, he is demanding of everyone and we feel this demand with his staff. We have to be at a certain level of performance.

What does he mean to you?

AK: I was too young to have really known him as a player in his period of glory. But as a Frenchman, it’s like Zinédine Zidane, we all know who these players are who have marked the history of French football. Henry, he really left an impression on me because I watched all his actions on YouTube. Now I’m around him, I’m obviously happy.

In the evening, before you go to sleep, do you imagine yourself with a medal around your neck this summer?

AK: For the moment, I’m really focused on Stade Rennais and on what I have to accomplish, it’s taking my mind so much… I think about it every day. We’ll see after. Everything in its time.