Danilo Pereira, 34-year-old defender/midfielder for Al-Ittihad and Portugal, spoke to the media outlet Onze Mondial. He particularly reflected on the Champions League victory last May by Paris Saint-Germain. The Portuguese player is especially happy to have seen PSG, his former club (2020-2024), win this trophy. He also spoke about the immense contribution coach Luis Enrique has made to the Parisian squad.
Danilo: “I witnessed that with great pride.”
“Do you have any regrets about leaving PSG before achieving European glory?
No, never. I’m happy to have seen PSG win its first Champions League title in its history. I’m also happy to have seen my former teammates happy.” Especially the Portuguese players Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Gonçalo Ramos, and João Neves, because I know how complicated it is to arrive at a big club like Paris Saint-Germain from Portugal and do the job they did. I was very proud to witness that (smiles).
Danilo: “Luis Enrique’s greatest weapon is that.”
On Luis Enrique’s success
PSG has been looking for a season like this for a long time. Luis Enrique has done a tremendous job with the players, his staff, and his management. It’s important that there is this symbiosis. To win titles, it doesn’t just come from the players or the coach. You have to bring experience to the team. It’s essential to create a family spirit within the squad.
Right now, Paris is a real team. Everyone is moving together in the same direction. That’s what allowed the club to win so many titles. Luis Enrique has a well-established philosophy. He manages to instill in his players that his philosophy is the best.
Once that’s done, you can beat everyone, win titles, and dominate. When the players are with and behind him, there aren’t many teams that can compete. That’s Luis Enrique’s greatest weapon. On a daily basis, he works so well that it becomes easier to put things into practice on the pitch.”
It’s a bit tiring to always see the media talking about possible “regrets” for former PSG players. As if careers were made up of simple choices, without many parameters. Danilo left simply because coach Luis Enrique no longer included him in his plans and there was an attractive offer. There’s no regrets; Portugal didn’t absolutely seek to leave this project. He had simply served his time.
He can instead, as the midfielder does so well, be proud of having contributed to PSG’s progress. Danilo fulfilled his role with great professionalism and determination. We can only thank him for his time in the capital, even though he wasn’t always helped by the “collective.”
Which had become almost nonexistent in recent seasons before the arrival of coach Luis Enrique in 2023. There are many points to be made about his play, but the Portuguese international clearly underlines the essential: the Spaniard was able to put together a real squad. With solidarity, competition, philosophy, and confidence. These are essential ingredients for tactics, which can then make the difference. Here too, Luis Enrique did a remarkable job.
