On Tuesday, during Matchday 3 of the 2025-2026 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain (third-placed) will face Bayer Leverkusen (25th-placed) at the BayArena (kick-off at 9 p.m., CET). On the eve of this match, Parisian midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery (19 years old) answered several questions at a press conference.
Zaïre-Emery: “I went with the U23s to regain my confidence, touch the ball a lot, and move forward.”
How do you explain your return to form? Did the U23s feel good?
You said it, I’m a little better. I’m feeling better and better. I went with the U23s to regain my confidence, touch the ball a lot, move forward, and put in the intensity. It did me good. Now, we have to continue with the same desire, the same confidence.
Zaïre-Emery: “At PSG, we want to play for everything, win everything.”
Should we prioritize the Champions League to clinch qualification quickly?
I wouldn’t say there’s one competition to prioritize. At PSG, we want to play for everything, win everything. That’s the goal. To achieve that, you have to approach every match the same way, always play the same way. You always have to have that desire to do the best possible.
A difficult first period at PSG, what did you learn?
A little bit of everything. I refocused, above all, I continued to work. That’s what you need. You can’t give up. I keep doing the same thing. There were people around me who gave me confidence. The coach and my teammates push me to give the best version of myself.
Zaïre-Emery: “It’s great to have him back.”
Will the return from injury be good for you, given that you’ve stalled in Ligue 1?
It’s always good to have players back, especially when they’re key players who are there to give us advice and push us. Especially Ousmane Dembélé and Marquinhos. Our captain is fantastic, he’s a great voice. It’s great to have him back. Having everyone back is always a plus. The team is there above all else, and nothing changes for the coach.
Willian Pacho was one of the starters in the final who wasn’t among the 30 for the Ballon d’Or. Is that unfair? He’s already a world reference, how so?
It’s not a question we really asked ourselves. He’s a great defender, he adapted very quickly. I think he deserved this spot, but we don’t decide.
Zaïre-Emery: “We’re very happy to have him back, he’s the Ballon d’Or.”
Dembélé, what does his return represent?
Like Marquinhos, he’s a leader. Even if he doesn’t express himself much, there’s what he does. It’s natural for him. We’re very happy to have him back, he’s the Ballon d’Or. We’re happy, we’re proud. We know he’ll help the team improve. He’ll do his best to help us.
How did the coach help you come back?
The coach, along with everyone, tries to get the best out of you. He comes to give advice, to talk. He’s open to everything. It’s great for everyone. He tries to give as much confidence as possible. It helped me a lot, and my teammates too. They told me not to give up, that these moments happen to everyone. So I just try to give back to them what they give.
Zaïre-Emery: “I try to set an example with what I do every day.”
What happens to a footballer to have his moments click?
I couldn’t tell you (smiles). I try to always be the same person, to give the best of myself, to make every effort possible. This is done through training. I try to stay longer on campus, to do as many things as possible. I can’t say exactly how that changes. But I’m trying to be as confident as possible and rediscover a carefree attitude.
Several Titis players have made it to the first team. What role do you play with them?
I think my role hasn’t really changed. I’ve remained the same person. We’re all very happy to have these young players. The coach talks to them to give them confidence, and we try to do the same.
I try to set an example with what I do every day, in the gym, by giving the best of myself. Then, they do what they want. But when you’re a young player coming out of the training center, you try to follow. You analyze, you watch. I watched Presnel Kimpembe a lot; he worked hard in the gym. That always helps.
