With Messi on the pitch? “Absolute wow moment”

High-flyer Eric Dina Ebimbe talks about the PSG star ensemble and why Eintracht Frankfurt’s hunger is not satisfied.

Mr. Ebimbe, how do you rate the training camp in Dubai? Annoying because ten days were relatively long, or is it okay, after all, in the middle of January, the sun shines most of the time?

Neither nor. A training camp is never in vain or aimless. It’s just a matter of preparing well for the first competitive game of the new year against Schalke 04. This is where we get the tools to put in a good performance. We’ve had a long break and we want to be ready again. The training camp is extremely important because we have ambitious goals.

Has the Eintracht Frankfurt team been able to build up excitement in Dubai for a game that is only eight days away?

Of course, that’s important too. We are a team that has a great fighting spirit and never gives up. We have a few players in our ranks who exemplify this will. The training is a reflection of how we want to present ourselves.

So who are these players?

We have a lot of them in our squad. Kristijan Jakic, for example. Or Mario Götze, who comes, among other things, from the mileage. But also Tuta, Evan Ndicka and Djibril Sow, who absolutely leads the way. Or Rafael Borré, who sacrifices himself for the team on the offensive. And I could list more. We have players like that in every position.

Eintracht Frankfurt: Eric Dina Ebimbe’s path was already mapped out

You are relatively young, 22 years old, but have been in the professional business for a long time. When did you realize that you would try to be a professional footballer and that you had what it takes to make it?

There are a lot of footballers in my family, so the path was already mapped out a bit. Of course, at first I thought I was learning a normal job, but at the age of 14 it became clear to me that I would go down the path of a footballer. That was also because the sacrifices I had to make kept getting bigger. Time for family and friends was running out. So I said: ‘Okay, I want to make it, I’ll try it as a professional player.’

And when did you realize that you were good enough to do it?

That was in the final year of training at Paris Saint-Germain. That’s when I noticed that my development was progressing. My physique has changed, I’ve matured. I also had close contact with the professional team. That was the moment when I felt I can do it, I will do it.

Who were the most influential figures in your youth at PSG? For example, you played with Moussa Diaby or Christopher Nkunku.

The PSG academy is very respected, there are an incredible number of players who have an incredible amount of potential. In every vintage, in every generation. Many players who go through the youth academy there make the leap to becoming a professional and in some cases to a great career. Of course, Diaby and Nkunku are also part of it.

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Eric Dina Ebimbe raves about Messi, Neymar and Mbappé

You’ve played with some who have had really great careers, world careers, the greatest of the greatest: Messi, Neymar, Mbappé, to name a few. Did you walk across the training ground with wide eyes?

I’m not really the type to look up to other people and think, ‘Wow, what great players.’ But I have to be honest: When I stood on the pitch with them for the first time, it was an absolute wow moment for me. That’s when I realized what an opportunity it is to play with such great players. It quickly became clear to me that I wanted to learn a lot from them. I’ve observed them, studied them, seen what I can learn from them and implement in my game. There are also a few things that can be adapted in terms of professionalism and lifestyle. They simply subordinate everything to football. Your behavior is exemplary.

How good are these players in daily training?

Incredibly good. For real. They are among the best in the world. They show that in every training session. They pay enormous attention to their bodies and their way of life. In terms of football, they are beyond any doubt anyway. Absolutely admirable.

Eintracht Frankfurt: Eric Dina Ebimbe wants to play for the French national team

Speaking of mistakes. How did you experience your compatriot Randal Kolo Muani’s miss in the World Cup final? He could have made himself immortal and become the hero of an entire nation. And then that…

First and foremost, it annoyed me for him personally. But that’s football. That was a terrific save from the goalkeeper. Randal will have many more chances and make us happy. It’s important to recognize what he did for France at the World Cup. Randal is a strong character and a really good guy, he’s not going to let that get him down. On the contrary: He will get even stronger, I’m convinced of that.

The Grande Nation seems to have an almost inexhaustible reservoir of outstanding footballers. Why is that?

There are a lot of immigrants in France and fortunately these people are given a chance there. That’s how my father came to France. As a child I was outside a lot and played football. It was important for me to do well in school to make my parents proud. This also applies to football. You see, in France there are many football pitches everywhere, young people are given the chance to play football, anytime and anywhere. You come into contact with football early on, it is very present. It’s the great passion in France, everyone loves football, everyone has had the ball at their feet. So there are a lot of good players.

What about you with the Equipe Tricolore, a dream?

It’s a dream for everyone, that would of course make me proud. But you have to work hard for this dream, especially in France. We have a very, very strong national team, with extreme competition in the squad. You have to do your best and be patient. If I do all that, then maybe one day I’ll come into contact with the national team. That would be a big dream, no question.

In Frankfurt there is the French Connection, people like Kolo Muani, Touré or Ndicka. Does that help with integration?

It helped me a lot to get used to it. It’s nice when there are people who speak the same language and think the same way as you do. But I’m someone who approaches everyone. I want to be able to talk to everyone. That is very important to me. In order for such a group to function, you have to get along, understand and harmonize with each other. That doesn’t work if you just keep to yourself.

It was the right step for Eric Dina Ebimbe to go to Eintracht Frankfurt

Do you learn German?

In the beginning I had regular German courses, but because of the large number of games it was a bit more difficult. But now it’s starting again for me, I’ll intensify it.

They have also gained a foothold in sport incredibly quickly and have become indispensable. Was it the right step to go to Frankfurt?

In any case. When I was at PSG I was twice on loan, so being far from home is nothing new for me. I wanted to take the next step in my career and it was clear to me that I had to change. The Bundesliga seemed predestined to me for this. Because in the Bundesliga, young players are given a chance. You are allowed to make mistakes and you will receive the support you need. At the same time, the quality of the league is very high. And Eintracht appealed to me, the talks with sporting director Markus Krösche were very good and I quickly felt that it would work out. That’s how it happened. We have a young, ambitious, talented team. I don’t regret making that decision.

But in Frankfurt you play on the right and no longer in the center of midfield . Is that a big change?

I can definitely play there, I was used a lot on the wing when I was young. So this is not new to me, I know what I have to do there. Of course there are one or two things that I can do better tactically. The trainer works with me on these issues. I think I played a good first series. And the full-back position gives me a lot of opportunities, you often get up front, you have chances to score and you can set up goals. I like that.

Eric Dina Ebimbe wants to stay at Eintracht Frankfurt

Would you like to stay beyond the summer?

Yes of course. I’m currently on loan and I’m fully concentrating on the here and now. We’re well on the way to having a historic season. It would be great to be able to stay in Frankfurt.

What sets the team apart?

We have great quality in the squad. The coach has found the right system to unite all qualities of the squad. The collective, the team spirit and the individual qualities come into their own in this system. Everyone has their strengths that they bring to the table. We harmonize perfectly with each other. In the first half of the season we got better bit by bit, everyone pulls together. Everyone knows what they have to do and that they can rely on each other. We are very ambitious. You can feel that in every training session.

What’s in with the team? Teammate Kristijan Jakic thinks Eintracht could win the Champions League.

Anything is possible in football. But the level in the Champions League is extremely high, where the best clubs in Europe play. Our primary goal is therefore to be there again next year. We were able to keep up in every game in the group stage. It is important to continue to maintain this level. Then we can definitely achieve something. In any case, this team is not easily satisfied and is very hungry.

Interview: Ingo Durstewitz