Jeremy Ménez, a former striker (retiring in 2024) who played for Paris Saint-Germain at the start of the Qatari era (2011-2014), spoke to Kampo with journalist Smaïl Bouabdellah. In particular, he talked about his adventure at PSG, including his arrival, the various seasons he spent there, and a number of key players, including Marco Verratti and Thiago Motta.
Ménez “I didn’t even need to think.”
Your most memorable transfer ?
PSG or Milan. Because I’ve just arrived at PSG, I’m 24 years old and what’s more, I was due to sign for Juventus; Antonio Conte called me, but I was on vacation. I got a call from Leonardo, who told me about the QSI project and recruitment.
As you can imagine, I live 15 minutes from the Parc des Princes, my club of choice… I said I’d think about it, but I didn’t even have to think about it (laughs). My mind was already made up. And wow.
There was some uncertainty about the QSI project at the time…
Yes, and at the time, Paris hadn’t been the great Paris for a few years. They almost went down a little earlier. You can ask yourself questions, but as it’s my club at heart, I didn’t ask myself any. My dream was about to begin.
Ménez “We think it’s the real confirmation of the QSI project.”
At what point do you say to yourself that things are going to get crazy at the club ?
When they take on Javier Pastore, I tell myself that it’s serious. Even if I already knew that from the discussions.
Did Leonardo mention any names ?
No, no names. Frankly, I didn’t ask. I almost didn’t care. I believed in the PSG project. It was the perfect time to start a new story. After that, confirmation came in December with the unfortunate sacking of Kombouaré…
How do you feel about the fact that you’re in first place ?
We were first and that was in December. We’re disappointed, because we got on really well with him. The human side is very important in soccer. The group really liked him.
Carlo Ancelotti arrive, avec Alex, Thiago Motta et Maxwell. On se dit que c’est la vraie confirmation du projet QSI.
Thiago Motta ?
A real class act (smile). Class, frankly. Apart from Thiago Motta, I haven’t seen many players who are as strong in front of the defense. He never went into the middle of the toro. It was always clean, impressive.
Ménez: “Great champions are often the coolest.
The following summer, Zlatan, Silva…
When I hear that Thiago Silva and Ibrahimovic are coming, I think it’s great, that we’re finally going to win the French championship. We already knew each other, we’d played against each other. And we’ve managed to create a little family despite the transfers. Thiago Silva and Thiago Motta loved our French squad.
Who was there ?
Sylvain Armand, Jallet, Douchez, Chantôme, Bodmer, all French. We integrated them all and it was like a family.
At the restaurant, who paid the bill ?
It was everyone’s turn, no one got away with it. It had to do with birthdays. That’s how it was, it was important. We laughed a lot. That’s what made us strong. We had a crazy team, but a crazy atmosphere too.
People say there were the stars and then there were the other players who didn’t get along.
It’s a fantasy of outsiders. But the biggest stars – Beckham, Thiago Silva, Zlatan – are the coolest. They can get on your nerves in training when you need to make an effort or get back into position. They want to win everything, they’ve got it in them.
It’s the guys at the lowest level who are more into it. It’s often like that. The great champions are often the coolest.
Ménez “Marco Verratti impressed me a lot.”
Beckham’s arrival ?
It’s crazy! Can you imagine, I used to see him on TV and now he’s in the dressing room. And 6 months later he invited us to London with Jallet and Douchez. He’s organized everything for us. When you see his simplicity… Those are memories I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.
Impressive players in your career ? The strongest player you’ve ever played with ?
Marco Verratti really impressed me. He arrived from Italy at the age of 19 without knowing the language, and his simplicity was incredible. He was so carefree. And he was so strong, he never lost the ball or fell to the ground.
Sometimes in training, you think that a player like you is going to sweep him off his feet (smile), but he never fell, he never lost the ball. It was incredible. And he had a special place in the dressing room, everyone adored him. I really like him.
