You have just extended your contract at FC Barcelona. What does this mean to you?
“Huge pride! I remember my arrival at Barça in 2018, I came to scratch playing time. To prove that I could play in such a big club. At the time, I was not thinking of an extension until 2026. “
Could you do the rest of your career in Catalonia?
“I don’t know if I will succeed, but I dream of staying at Barça until the end of my career! Difficult to find better at European level. I have flourished in sport and in human terms. My son Maël was just born here, that also counts. “
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Is it true that you accepted a pay cut, given Barça’s financial difficulties?
“Yes, it was done logically, naturally, with the health crisis. There is a lot less revenue for the club. It’s a win-win, because I hope to be part of the long term here. “
What conclusions do you draw from the first weeks with the new coach Ronald Koeman, who played central defender like you?
“We still have to improve, but we are on the right track. There is more physical work to put more intensity and races during the matches. The coach has been a great defender of FC Barcelona. His experience is invaluable to me. Because here, there is a specific way of defending, with high pressing and spaces in the back to manage. “
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Do you still think about the quarter-final of the Champions League lost 8-2 to Bayern?
“It’s a defeat that will follow us all our lives, unfortunately. But a new season has started. We won the first three matches of C1, especially at Juve with the manner. “
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Messi? “The best player in the history of football”
What do you think about closed-door meetings because of the Covid?
“Football is an escape route for many people in this health crisis. So much the better if we can help them a little by playing. But, in terms of emotion and tension, it has nothing to do without an audience. “
How do you find Lionel Messi after the soap opera of his false start to Manchester City?
“Always so involved, always so strong. We are so happy that he stayed… He is for me the best player in the history of football. “
And how is Antoine Griezmann?
“He’s doing good things in a more axial role. He lacked success, especially in Turin, but I am confident for the future. “
You already have 10 selections for the French team. Do you have the impression that your status has changed with the Blues?
“I’m not the new kid anymore. You have to prove at every rally, but the group got to know me. And then I passed the hazing (amused) ! I sang “Balader” by Sexion d’Assaut. At ASNL, I had dared “I love him to death” by Francis Cabrel, I had been given room by Alex Cuvillier! “
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What changed when your son was born on May 11?
“The sense of priorities. Your child comes first. It’s wonderful to come home to find him with my girlfriend. Maël takes the bottle in the evening during matches but he is still small, he cannot hold on, he quickly falls asleep! “
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