Warren Zaïre-Emery, the 19-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, spoke to Ligue1+ after the 4-0 victory against Nice this Saturday at the Allianz Riviera, in the 27th round of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season.
Zaïre-Emery: “We’re going to rest well and go to the national team in the best possible shape.”
Is it important to respond after the impressive victory against Lens?
Yes, it’s a match before the international break. It’s a difficult match coming off the Champions League. The objective was to come here and play the way we usually do, with a high press and a lot of intensity. That’s what we did very well, and we’re going to rest well and go to the national team in the best possible shape.
What was that goal?
Even I don’t know. (He watches the goal again).
Zaïre-Emery: “We do whatever we want.”
The coach gives you incredible freedom. How do you feel?
There are areas where a player always needs to be, and then we do whatever we want as long as there are players in the areas the coach wants. This mobility allows us to have players everywhere and be dangerous all over the pitch.
Honestly, everyone likes it, and we have to keep going like this. It’s hard to defend against a team where you never know where the player is going to go; there are always rotations, and we just have to keep going. I think we can achieve great things again this year.
Zaïre-Emery: “I’m having a blast going onto the pitch, and I hope we keep going until the end of the season.”
Are you more influential on the right wing? Do the numbers speak for themselves?
I don’t know how many matches I’ve played in midfield and how many on the wing. It’s great to be able to play anywhere; I have that ability, and it’s important to have it. It’s good for the coach, it’s good for me, and for everyone. I’m continuing to do what I love to do: run, play, and move forward. I’m really enjoying going on the pitch, and I hope we keep going until the end of the season.
Zaïre-Emery: “It did me a lot of good.”
If you were offered the starting right-back position for the French national team?
With pleasure (laughs). Anywhere, even in goal, I’d go.
What was the key moment for your development?
I’d say I went through a difficult period, and the French U21 team did me a lot of good. Playing regularly and stringing together matches gave me rhythm and the power I have in my legs. It also did me good mentally and allowed me to keep this momentum going and do what I love to do.
