Former Paris Saint-Germain player Giovani Lo Celso—now a 30-year-old midfielder for Real Betis—retains vivid memories of his time in the French capital. In an interview with L’Équipe ahead of a match against Lille with Betis, the Argentine describes a “family-like” atmosphere at PSG, speaks of the exceptional quality of his former teammates, and highlights the impact of Luis Enrique.
Lo Celso: “PSG is much more of a family club than it seems.”
What memories do you have of your time at PSG?
“I won a lot of titles there (two Ligue 1 titles, two Coupes de France, and one Coupe de la Ligue); it was a huge change for me, and everyone welcomed me incredibly well. The proof is that, even though I left eight years ago—and didn’t stay very long—I’m still in touch with the president and people at the club. PSG is much more of a family club than it seems. Nasser (al-Khelaïfi) is the only president—along with the one at Betis—who stayed in touch after I left.”
What stood out to you the most?
“It was the strongest team I’ve ever played for. Training was incredible. It was like something out of a Disney movie. I was 20 years old, fresh from Rosario Central, and I was like a kid with a new toy. Watching them train, the way they treated young players like me, their willingness to pass on knowledge, and that winning mentality that drives you to achieve great things…”
Lo Celso’s perspective is particularly striking because it goes far beyond the results achieved in Paris. The Argentine emphasizes what he discovered within the club: the warm welcome, the mentorship, and the close relationships he maintains with certain executives to this day. His recollections of training sessions also speak to the high standards of a dressing room filled with established stars—yet one capable of integrating a 20-year-old fresh from Argentina.
Lo Celso: “It felt like he wasn’t playing the same sport”
Which player impressed you the most?
“Neymar. It felt like he wasn’t playing the same sport. Technically, he was on another level. In training and in matches alike, he could dribble past anyone, whenever and however he wanted. And on a personal level, he’s a wonderful human being.”
Among all the stars he encountered in Paris, his choice of Neymar speaks volumes about the impression the Brazilian left on his teammates. Lo Celso doesn’t just focus on the skills displayed during matches; he highlights a technical superiority that was evident every day, even in training. His account reminds us just how much awe Neymar inspired in those who shared the pitch with him during his time in Paris.
Lo Celso: “He built a very strong team unit”
Why didn’t you manage to establish yourself at PSG?
“The club was in a transitional phase. Olivier was the one who brought me in, but shortly after I arrived, he was gone. Sporting directors kept changing, as did coaches… I played a lot during my final season under Unai Emery, but then Thomas Tuchel arrived, and he didn’t have the same plans for me.”
How do you explain PSG’s current success?
“Luis Enrique. They’ve found their balance with him—a coach who knows exactly what he wants and where he’s going, with a very clear footballing philosophy. The players are fully committed and have bought into his vision. He has built a very strong team unit, and it’s solid, united groups that win titles.”
The contrast Lo Celso draws is particularly interesting. To explain his own struggles, he describes a PSG side that underwent multiple changes in sporting leadership and coaching.
His view of the current team is the exact opposite: a clear vision, a squad that has bought into the plan, and a coach capable of providing a shared sense of direction. In his eyes, Paris’s success therefore relies less on an accumulation of individual talents than on the strength of a collective project that has been fully embraced.
