Nicola Anelka, who trained at Paris Saint-Germain, made his professional debut in the Red and Blue shirt, before leaving in 1997 and returning from 2000 to 2002. Speaking to PSG TV, the former Parisian recalled his youth and his early days at the Parc des Princes.
Anelka: “It’s the realization of a young player who wants to become a professional”.
“My first time at the Parc des Princes was when I made my professional debut. It’s already a dream come true, having grown up with PSG, George Weah and so on… So it’s the realization of the young player who wants to become a professional and who succeeds at his training club.
I remember the action of my first goal. The Lens player lost the ball. I anticipated and came face to face with the goalkeeper, who was outside his area. Rai comes to pick me up, so I jump into his arms. My dream was to turn pro and then score goals. So to score at the Parc des Princes that day was extraordinary.”
Anelka “Ronnie was shy because he didn’t really know European soccer that well”
“When I arrived there was no Ronnie yet. But I joined a group of mates with a lot of quality and we had the ambition to go very big. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out, but I was very happy to be back.
At the time, Ronnie was shy because he didn’t really know European soccer that well. But we could already see his qualities. After one or two seasons he really transformed himself and became the player we know.”
Anelka “I’m a PSG fan, I used to come when I was young”.
“I’ve always come to the Parc des Princes, to the Camp des Loges. Even when I signed for Manchester City I often came back to see the youngsters at the Camp des Loges. I’ve always kept that connection with PSG because it’s my training club. I’m a PSG fan, I used to come when I was young. It’s a very strong bond. I’ve done everything here, and that’s something I’ll always remember.”
Anelka: “I got on well with Carlo Ancelotti”.
“I was due to sign in China and I was in transit with my new club. I got on well with Carlo Ancelotti, so I asked him if I could come and train. He said yes. There was Papus, Alex with whom I’d also played. There was Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I think I could have played in that team.
Anelka “He’s working slowly but calmly”.
“I know the quality of the trainers here, so I wanted him (his son Kais Anelka joined the training center in 2023) to evolve within this club. He has potential, but there’s still a long way to go. He’s working slowly but calmly, and the fact that I’m often in Paris means I can see him. He’s also a PSG fan, so he’s obviously very happy to be here.”
