On Wednesday, during Matchday 1 of the 2026–2027 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain will face Slovan Bratislava at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9 p.m., CET). On the eve of the match, Paris defender and captain Marquinhos (32) answered several questions during a press conference.
Marquinhos: “We have to be honest with ourselves.”
Eight goals conceded already—how do you explain it?
For a defender, conceding goals hurts. We’ve let in a lot of goals early in the season. We know why; we’ve talked about it, and the coach has shown us videos. There were collective errors that were below our standards. We’re working to improve. It’s the start of the season; mistakes happen, and there are things we can fix. We have to be honest with ourselves. The coach is demanding and tells it like it is. We know what we need to improve.
Marquinhos: “He isn’t afraid to make tough decisions when necessary.”
Luis Enrique has made bold choices—like with Dembélé and Digne; do you think that’s necessary to keep winning?
It’s not just this season. He’s a coach who does what’s best for the squad. He has his own way of doing things; it’s up to the players to give their all in training to earn a spot. That’s what he wants. We have to give our maximum in every training session and every match to secure our place. We have a lot of players.
Unfortunately, some have to be left off the squad list. That’s tough on the group and the players involved. But the coach has to make those decisions, and we understand that. No one likes being left out, but that’s football. It’s up to us to step up and compete. The coach has managed the team very well since he arrived; it’s worked. He isn’t afraid to make tough decisions when necessary.
Marquinhos: “Sometimes, you lose your rhythm a bit at the start of the season.”
What mistakes have you made early in the season?
I can’t go into too much detail (smiles). It’s nothing specific. The desire and intensity are there, but there’s more to our team than just that. It’s the start of the season, so it’s normal to lose a bit of the feel for things—the counter-pressing, the effort required to provide cover once the initial press has been beaten, and how we defenders need to step out.
We’ve worked hard; the coach has shown us videos. These are just early-season details. Sometimes you lose your rhythm a bit at the start of the season. But we’re working on these aspects to get back to the momentum we’ve had in recent years.
Who is your favorite for the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
I hope it’s someone from PSG (smiles). We have some very good players who have had excellent seasons. Am I on the list? (smiles). We’ll see. It’s an individual award. I think that, in recent years, the team aspect has become more important. A Paris player who has had a complete season—I hope it’s someone from PSG.
Marquinhos: “It’s true that the real competition starts later, but it’s important to be well-placed in the standings.”
What makes you think you can win a third Champions League title?
It would be historic. Winning one Champions League is very difficult. Two is historic. Winning three is incredibly hard. Very few teams have done it. I value that. It’s a matter of ambition, motivation, and philosophy. We have to realize that what we’ve achieved is in the past. If we want to win again, we have to be demanding. We’ve seen that other teams have strengthened their squads. It’s going to be even tougher. But we’re going to fight from the very first match to go far.
You’ve won before after coming through the play-offs; is there not too much pressure during the league phase?
As we’ve seen with other clubs, the real part of the season tends to begin in January and February, when the team hits its stride. We’ve done that before. But if we can get off to a good start and secure a strong position, we’ll take it. Consistency is key; it’s very important over the course of a season. We became champions after going through the play-offs, but that wasn’t what we wanted. We’d prefer a better ranking. The ambition is to finish higher up the table. It’s true that the real competition starts later, but it’s important to be well-placed.
Marquinhos: “We have a club and playing philosophy today that demands a lot.”
Has the role of captain changed now that you’re a two-time European champion?
I don’t think it has changed. But it’s crucial to keep motivating everyone and to remain demanding of both oneself and the team. We have a club and playing philosophy today that demands a lot. It’s not easy to come here and play the way we do, in every position. The dressing room has matured. The players are gaining experience. We’re seeing leaders emerge.
Over the past three years, the players have changed a lot thanks to everything they’ve been through. We’ve had to be strong and resilient to meet our objectives. We have plenty of leaders. It’s up to us to maintain those high standards and stick to our playing philosophy. That’s how we won, and how we moved people to tears with emotion. That’s how we’re going to fight for this competition once again.
Marquinhos: “He’s the perfect player. We’re all happy to have him here.”
Is Dembélé still indispensable?
He’s proven his worth; he’s a leader in the dressing room and a crucial player. The coach knows exactly how to manage him to ensure he’s in top form. He’s highly motivated—he shows it in training and every time he steps onto the pitch. He’s vital, both when he’s being decisive and when he’s off the ball. He’s a complete player, a leader. He scores, he provides assists, he brings others into play, and he presses. He’s the perfect player. We’re all happy to have him here.
Marquinhos: “It’s hard to come here and achieve what we’ve achieved.”
What have you done as captain to help the new signings settle in? Is the squad stronger than last year?
That’s hard to say. Results will speak louder than words at this early stage of the season. A lot can happen. I’m very happy with the new signings; they’re top-level players. They’ll bring a lot to the team. PSG has done a great job; you can see the good rapport between the management and the coach. What we’re doing isn’t easy. The coach sets very high standards.
It’s hard to come here and achieve what we’ve achieved. We’ve been able to build things up gradually with Luis Enrique, though a new signing has to absorb a lot of information. But the players are adapting more and more. We’re here to help them; we’re a very good group with a great dynamic. The club is very pleased with the new signings—players who can provide the added value we needed for the season.
