“I saw Kompany play on TV when I was a kid. He was the best of the best: very strong on the ball, good in duels, a real boss too. He’s an example. But here too, These are big words…”
In the meantime, you have taken two yellow cards in Genk: that is twice as many as the only card during the entire season last in Sint-Truiden. Have you become a dirty player?
“(Laughs) When I have to take a card, I take one. But to say that I have become a dirty player: no. That’s not my style.”
gullI told Konaté to give the ball. He told me to turn around.”
However, you angered Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté during the match against France, as evidenced by a photo.
“We had a free kick and the ball went out of bounds during my warm-up at the edge of the field. He was walking towards the ball. Since we were trailing, I wanted to quickly take the ball so that the game resume. When he saw me pass, he grabbed the ball. I told him in French that he had to give the ball away. He told me that I had to let go and turn around. .”
In your personal archives, you have an old photo where you go onto the pitch holding Kevin De Bruyne when you were a kid.
“(Editor’s note: He played from the age of 6 to 14 at Genk but had to leave because he was considered too short, so he continued his training at Sint-Truiden before returning to Genk this summer) Kevin played in a different position to me, but I obviously admired De Bruyne. At a very young age he was a great talent at Genk.”
What was it like meeting Romelu Lukaku for the first time?
“This Tuesday we had recovery training, so I haven’t yet been able to compete against him in duels in training. But I’m looking forward to doing it. He’s the best Belgian striker in a long time .”
Would you rather go to the duel with him or with another mirror cabinet, your teammate Tolu?
“In training, you mean? So I’m going for Lukaku. It’s something new. I can often compete against Tolu in training at Genk. I hope to learn from my duels with Romelu.”
Has Romelu ever spoken to you?
“Yes. He welcomed me, he asked how I am, how old I am and where I play. You can tell from everything that he is the leader of the group.”
You did not receive game time in the previous gathering. Are you hoping to make your debut against Italy?
“Every player hopes to get minutes, so me too. I didn’t come here just for training.”
It seems that you are superstitious.
“I’m a believer, above all. And yes, I have my little habits. But there are some who are more superstitious than me.”
It seems that you have an old smartphone with a screen full of cracks. Didn’t the other Devils make fun of your phone?
“They haven’t seen it yet because I leave my smartphone in the room as much as possible.”
Lukebakio confident before facing Italy, with the return of Lukaku: “If Romelu scares me? No, he’s the big brother!”
