Ousmane Dembélé, Paris Saint-Germain’s 28-year-old striker, answered a number of questions for FIFA. In particular, he spoke about the first Club World Cup, from June 15 to July 13. The Parisian No.10 talks about it with great enthusiasm and ambition.
Dembélé “ I think this Club World Cup is going to be exceptional, ”
“Can’t wait for it to start?
Yes. Plus, it’s in the United States, a very beautiful country. I think this [Club] World Cup is going to be exceptional, just before the big World Cup – for the countries. I think it’s going to be a huge [Club] World Cup, and we’re looking forward to it.
These interclub matches often give rise to culture clashes. Do you think that one of the biggest attractions of the competition is the fact that so many clubs from different countries take part?
Yes, I do. I think it’s going to be a mix of different types of soccer, whether it’s Botafogo in our group… We know a bit more about Atlético Madrid, but we’ve never played Seattle. It’s going to be a different kind of soccer. We can’t wait to get there and take on teams like that.
Dembélé: “We’re going to try to win all the trophies.
You’ll be playing in front of American fans who don’t necessarily get the chance to see you, apart from in front of their TVs. How does that make you feel?
It’s a pleasure. We know there are a lot of American PSG fans in the States, so it’s going to be a pleasure to play against them. We hope they’ll push us to try and win this trophy too.
How far do you see yourself going in this competition? What are PSG’s objectives?
As we said at the start of the season, we’re going to try and win all the trophies. After that, we know it’s difficult, because there are some very good teams in this competition. We know that this first match is going to be decisive. We’re going to give it everything we’ve got to win this trophy.”
Some are still finding it a little hard to project themselves into this new competition. Especially as PSG have a particularly exciting “end” to the season. There’s the Coupe de France final this Saturday against Reims, as well as the Champions League final on May 31 against Inter Milan. A moment that could go down in history.
Then there are 2 weeks of international matches (great, isn’t it?) and it’s time to tackle that famous World Cup. The World Cup is still a heavy load on the calendar for some players, even though there have already been numerous warnings in the professional world about the risks involved.
But it’s also a trophy with new clubs to face. Even if PSG come up against Atlético Madrid in their group, who they have already faced this season. There will also be Botafogo and Seattle, and possibly other discoveries. It’s also a chance for some fans to see the clubs “come to them”.
In any case, the players can only approach the matches and the competition with ambition. Particularly in Paris, where the objectives are clear. Perhaps the excitement will grow among the fans too. Even if we’re well aware that at some point we’ll have to give the players a rest.
