Bradley Barcola, the 22-year-old striker of Paris Saint-Germain, opened up in a lengthy interview with Le Parisien. He spoke unfiltered about the criticism he faces and the expectations of the fans. He also expressed his desire to be the best he can be, while explaining that he is aware of the expectations surrounding him.
Barcola “ It’s not possible to do this kind of performance at PSG”
“After Newcastle last year, there was a lot of criticism, did you feel the need to vent your emotions even more than usual?
At the end of the game, I was really disappointed. My parents were there and I sat down with them. We talked for a while and said we had to do better. It’s not possible to put in that kind of performance at PSG. I didn’t know what was being said about me, but I knew there was going to be criticism.
We immediately said to each other: ‘Even if you hear things, don’t listen. You know you didn’t play well, but take stock of what went wrong, and from the next match onwards, show them that you’re not just a kid.
Barcola “ I feel pushed by the crowd as soon as I get the ball, it transports me”.
When you touch the ball, you can feel the stadium holding its breath. Do you also feel it when you’re on the pitch?
On the pitch, I’m in my bubble, focused on the match, but something happens that I can’t explain. As soon as I get the ball, I feel the crowd urging me on, so I want to make the difference.
Against Real Sociedad last year, I felt really pushed, I went to score and the stadium exploded. And so did the bubble around me. It’s a memory that will stay with me forever.
Barcola “ I give my all for Paris, but being an icon, I don’t think about it”
Since the departure of Kylian Mbappé, fans have been looking for a new icon. Could you become one?
Frankly, I don’t know. I give my all for Paris, but I don’t think about being an icon. I just want to be the best, the most consistent player I can be.”
There’s a great deal of humility in Barcola’s words. He’s a very ambitious young man, but he doesn’t want to think he’s someone else. Reaching the top is a goal for him, but he wants to do it without changing, without worrying about being famous.
By refusing to be an icon, he gives himself the right to dream about it. We know that fans don’t like self-important “stars”, but they prefer humility and players who give their all on the pitch.
But that doesn’t stop a player like Barcola from being carried away by the crowd, and he’s well aware of what he can bring to a match. His twirling side goes very well with the show and with delighting the fans.
It’s a good cocktail for becoming a strong image for the club. The good thing about Barcola is that he doesn’t force that trait at all. He’s himself, and that’s what makes the difference in the stadium.
