Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Chairman of both Paris Saint-Germain and the ECA (European Club Association), answered questions from Marca in an interview published this Saturday. The interview was an opportunity to discuss the Parisian project, coach Luis Enrique, Kylian Mbappé (the 25-year-old striker who left for Real Madrid last summer), the new Champions League and the Club World Cup.
Al-Khelaïfi “an evolution, not a weekly revolution, as I keep repeating.”
Do you still think PSG is on the right track by investing in young players?
Yes, Paris Saint-Germain’s new superstar is the team, but we also have a lot of stars. What’s different today is that we have a strong collective on the pitch and a strong, united institution off it.
We also think in the short, medium and long term, and don’t just look ahead and react impulsively and emotionally to everything that happens. Having a young team, building an identity.
Of course, we want to win every game, we want to be competitive in every competition, that’s for sure. But with patience and perseverance: an evolution, not a weekly revolution, as I keep repeating.
Al-Khelaïfi: “Everyone forgets, more solidarity”.
Is the new Champions League format a good one, despite the criticism?
I think it’s a format that has improved a lot for everyone. You see the rankings, the media, the fans… you see the results of all the teams: more competition, more surprises, more involvement.
And more clubs dreaming of playing in Europe. And last but not least, more solidarity – 440 million euros a year – for teams that don’t even take part in competitions.
Al-Khelaïfi “Made in Paris. For Paris.”
Is the Campus PSG your finest project since you arrived at PSG over ten years ago?
The training center was one of our main objectives since we arrived: to build the best training center in the world and train the best young players in Paris and the Paris region.
We also want to focus on the Paris region as a whole: bringing jobs, investment and raising standards. The future of Paris Saint-Germain will be born and built on our Campus – it can’t be bought. Made in Paris. For Paris.
Al-Khelaïfi “Nobody will support him.”
Do you still think Super League won’t exist?
No, it doesn’t exist. In fact, it has never existed, except in the minds of a few illusionists (or the deluded). And today, with the new format of UEFA’s three men’s competitions and the revamped FIFA Club World Cup, it’s even less possible – it’s impossible.
Nobody will support it: not the fans, not the players, not the media, not the governments, not the clubs? You know that only two clubs support you, and I hope that one day they will realize their error of judgement and return to the European family.
Al-Khelaïfi “we bring soccer to one of the most important markets in sport.”
Is the Club World Cup so important to the sustainability of soccer?
There has been criticism of the tournament, but it’s time to stop throwing stones and be positive and constructive. It’s happening and it’s going to be fantastic. I was in Miami this week and the excitement was palpable: we’re bringing soccer to one of the sport’s most important markets.
The tournament will bring huge revenues to participating clubs, but also to non-participating clubs, which will contribute to the soccer ecosystem. It will make soccer more global, not just European. And it won’t significantly increase the workload for players, since it’s only played every four years and for a small number of clubs.
What does increase players’ workloads are the 20-team national championships, the two national cups, the replay matches, the friendlies and exhibition matches, and the fact that coaches don’t rotate their teams.
Al-Khelaïfi “which will help soccer as a whole.”
Have you already reached an agreement with FIFA on revenue sharing?
This week FIFA announced its global broadcast partner, which is very good news, and other commercial partners are on the way.
The ECA is still discussing the distribution model with FIFA, but everything is on track, and the most important thing is that there will be a significant solidarity fund for clubs not taking part in the tournament, which will help soccer as a whole.
How do you view the criticism levelled at Mbappé, particularly in France, for his difficulties with Real Madrid and the national team?
As I’ve always said, I wish Kylian – and all those who have played for our great club – the very best.
Al-Khelaïfi “we fully support all players and coaches.”
Is the signing of Luis Enrique another decision you’re proud of, and what do you think of the recent noise in the media criticizing results?
Last year we reached our third Champions League semi-final in five years. We won all the other trophies. We’ve transformed our strategy and our team. We’re top of the league and we’ll be playing in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
It’s true that some results haven’t been to our advantage this season in the Champions League, but when things are tough, you have to stick together and support the team, which is what our supporters do, even if some of the media don’t. We have a fantastic coach, Luis Enrique.
We have a great sporting advisor, Luis Campos. As a club, we fully support all our players and coaches. Our foundations are solid and our ambitions have not changed.
Al-Khelaïfi “I’ve already told him that we want him to be here for many years.”
Is there talk of extending Luis Enrique’s contract?
I’ve already told him that we want him to be here for many years, I just want him to play padel… I’m going to try to take him to the Premier Padel finals in Barcelona next week!
