“What people think is the least of my worries.”

At the Parc des Princes

His state of mind before France-Italy on Friday evening
“I’m very happy to be in Madrid. It’s going very well. We’ve already won a trophy (the European Super Cup), it’s getting better and better, I’ve scored goals. Everything’s going well there. I always come with the same energy to the national team to help this team as best I can. I think I feel very good, I’m very happy, I play every game, I’m still a starter, it’s really great, I’m where I’ve always wanted to be, there’s only positive in my life. There was a distance (in recent months). All my career I’ve always hated defeat, last year I just liked winning. You can quickly see this slight difference. I came back with the idea of ​​hating defeat and failure.”

His return to the Parc des Princes and the public’s welcome
“I didn’t leave long ago. It’s very recent. I’m very happy to be or I’m happy. Coming to the French team is always a pleasure. I can’t feel this difference at the moment. (On the welcome at the Parc des Princes) It’s special to be here, I spent many years here, I have a lot of memories, in the stadium that I know best. I only have great memories here. It’s great. What welcome? I don’t expect much. I don’t care. The most important thing is to win and start this new season well and leave on a positive note.”

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His view on his failed Euro
“It’s behind me, I didn’t try to analyze it too much. I quickly move on to something else, I had my presentation in Madrid quickly afterward. It didn’t stay in my head. It was a failure and we were sad. I quickly changed.”

His fitness and role as a central striker
“I don’t have a broken nose anymore, it’s been better since the Euro. My position? I can play in all three forward positions. It doesn’t change much. There’s no problem. I play or the coach tells me to play. I feel good physically and mentally. The more matches come in a row, the better it will be.”

The boring level of play of the Blues at the Euro
“I don’t know what the guys think, I’ve reached a stage in my life and my career where I don’t notice anymore. I come, I play. What people think is the least of my worries. We try to give the best of ourselves, out of respect for the French team, the jersey and the logo. In football, you can’t please everyone.”

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Start of the League of Nations and new cycle
“I don’t know where I stand on this question. We’ve already won this competition (in 2021), it didn’t cause any extraordinary excitement, but when we lost it, it was the end of the world. I don’t really know where I stand to be honest. We won in Milan. In 2022 we were eliminated and we were burned, it was a shame (laughs).

If he feels vengeful after the Euro
“Maybe it’s age (26 in December) but I’m learning that there is no revenge. It’s all about the process. In the spirit of revenge, there is the side of erasing everything, no because it existed. We must not make the same mistakes, I want to constantly evolve and progress.”

The Barcola Hatch
“I’m happy for him. Before being a very good player, he’s a very good boy. I wish him the best. I hope you’ll spare him, because today it’s fresh and new but when he doesn’t score, you won’t have to ask me questions to say it’s a draw. What he’s doing is great, he’s gaining more confidence, his teammates have confidence in him. It’s great news for him and the French team.”

Reunion with Donnarumma
“I’ll talk to him tonight (Monday), for sure. I get on really well with “Gigio”. Italy didn’t play well at the Euro (elimination in the last 8)^e final)? Neither do we. France-Italy is always a match, it will be a great match for us and the football fans. We will prepare to have the best version of Italy and our best to win at home.”

Re-enchanting the public after the disappointing Euro and the magnificent Olympic Games
“(he breathes) Maybe… Maybe we need to re-enchant the public. That’s all I’m going to say (he smiles).”

What about his salary dispute with PSG?
“I have only good memories with PSG. I spent 7 wonderful years there and to tell the truth, I wish them the best.”

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