On Wednesday, in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, Paris Saint-Germain will face Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg (kick-off at 9 PM, CET). On the eve of the match, Paris defender and captain Marquinhos (32) answered several questions during a press conference.
Marquinhos: “I had to defend against him in training; it was very difficult.”
What is Kvaratskhelia like? Is he even more determined? Does he need to set the tone after his break?
Kvara is in great shape; he had a good holiday to recover and prepare. I had to defend against him in training; it was very difficult (smiles). We are counting on every player; we can’t put the burden on just one person. We know the club’s and the coach’s philosophy. No matter who is on the pitch, everyone has a role to play. That applies to Kvaratskhelia; he is an important player who had a huge season. If he does it again, that’s great for us.
How are you approaching this new season? Can PSG aim for the Champions League title?
That is our goal. We know how difficult it is. Just because we’ve won a lot of things doesn’t mean it was easy. There are many obstacles. We have to take it step by step. There is the match tomorrow. Even though we’ve had little training time, we are hungry.
We can’t let anything slip. My aim is to win more and more. All the players here feel the same way. Even during the holidays, the players made sure they were ready, while also balancing rest. The team taking the field tomorrow will give 100%.
Marquinhos: “He knows how to get the message across to the players.”
What is Luis Enrique’s mindset? Is he relaxed? He’s fresh, like Kvara (laughs). He knows how to get the message across to the players. It’s a very ambitious message, but also a very clear one. Every player needs to understand the different stages of the season, starting with the crucial preparation period. He knows—just like last year—that the team won’t be at its peak right from the start of the season. Everyone has to give their all to reach top form. There’s no time to waste; there’s a trophy on the line tomorrow.
It’s important for us. The coach doesn’t let us slack off or get complacent just because we’ve won. Trophies belong to the past; to make history, you have to keep winning them. The message is very clear. We’re going to keep chasing trophies—that’s increasingly the PSG mentality.
Marquinhos: “My role is to help them settle in well, so they see the club’s philosophy and ambition.”
What role do you play with new signings as captain?
It’s always about putting them in the best possible position, talking to them, and explaining the team’s philosophy. We have a group that makes new signings feel welcome right from day one. We aren’t a closed group; we are open to new players who can help us. My role is to help them settle in well, so they see the club’s philosophy and ambition. Everyone plays a part in that. I’m here to help if needed.
Has the fear factor disappeared from PSG over the years?
I think it stems from the club’s current philosophy, driven by the management and the coach. That’s what he strives for every day in training. When he arrived, he said we had to climb Everest and that there was no turning back. He always wants to improve, and he’s very good at getting his message across. He knows exactly when to tighten things up.
He’s brought us this far, and the players have confidence in him. His message is always to give our all, regardless of the opponent or the context. We want to have the ball. Even in away games—situations where that used to happen less often. That speaks volumes about what the club is today. The message is being conveyed very effectively.
Marquinhos: “The team is ready for any opponent.”
Drawing on the past to move forward?
No, every match is different; the story is different. Defeats provide experience and show us what needs improving, while victories show us the way forward. A lot has happened; the team is ready for any opponent. We know the matches won’t be easy, though we can make them so. Whatever the situation, we are ready to win using the resources we have. We’ve won in the final minute and during difficult moments. We are in a different place now compared to the past. We are hungry; we have goals to achieve. We shouldn’t dwell on the past, but rather hold onto the experience and what we did well—that is the path that brought us here. We carry our history with us, yet we put it aside to pursue new things.
Marquinhos: “He knows the club’s history well”
Did Digne speak to you about Aston Villa?
He didn’t talk much about the opponent, though perhaps he spoke to the coach. The coach is the one preparing the match. Every player might have their own interpretation, but we need to share a common understanding of the game and the strategy. We want information from the coach and the staff so that we all have the same vision. The coach will convey the right message regarding the strategy.
Lucas arrived the same year I did the first time, hungry to achieve things. We’ve had different journeys, and now we’re seeing each other again. We hugged at training and talked about what we’ve been through. I told him he’s come back home, and I’m very happy to see him again. He’s part of my history at PSG. He knows the club’s history well; he experienced some great moments here too. I’m very happy. I hope we’ll experience more great things together.
Any memories here?
Yes, it was a very important match (against Salzburg, 2024-2025 league phase) for qualification. We were ambitious—we wanted to win and play a great game. I hope the atmosphere will be similar tomorrow, and that it brings the positive energy needed to bring home the title. The fans will be there; it’s great to see.
