This Sunday, in the 2026 Trophée des Champions, Paris Saint-Germain faced Lens at the Stade Bollaert. Florian Thauvin, the 33-year-old Lens forward, spoke to Ligue1+ after Lens’ 1-0 victory.
Thauvin: “We’ve got some quality, too.”
Does this kick off a great season with a very promising foundation?
We’ve worked hard, and this builds on what we achieved last year. There were a lot of changes—losing key players and the departure of the coaching staff—but we had time to work and put things in place. Most importantly, we’ve kept our mindset. We’ve got some quality, too. That saved us today, and that makes it two trophies in a year, so naturally, we’re incredibly proud for the club.
Does the captain’s armband allow you to assert your leadership?
I’m very proud to have this captain’s role. That said, I didn’t wait until I got the armband last year to take initiative. We’re continuing the project—the very reason I came here. I’m happy to represent the club. We’re doing a pretty good job of it, so that’s great.
Thauvin: “We want to keep going, press high, and win the ball back. Today was a bit tougher.”
What is your relationship with the coach like?
We have an extraordinary relationship; the moment he was appointed, he called me directly. We had a long conversation. We really talked things through and even had a one-on-one meal together.
I act as a key link for him, especially with the younger players, so I try to repay the trust he places in me. For a player, it’s always important to have that kind of relationship with your coach.
It seems like the coach is popular with a lot of people at the club? Yes, there’s a trophy up for grabs in the first official match; it sets the tone, and that’s a good thing. He’s a passionate coach—that’s the word that defines him best; he lives and breathes football. When we had a meal together, we must have spent two hours talking tactics—an attacking style of play, even though it’s always tough against PSG. We want to keep going, press high, and win the ball back. Today was a bit more difficult.
Thauvin: “That was a goal from an old hand.”
Tell us about that goal.
I think those are the kinds of goals you score through experience. It was a goal from an old hand. I scored a few like that last year. You know that with angled shots, if it’s not on target, you always have to be there at the far post. That’s what I did; I was a bit worried I might be offside, but you always have to believe. It paid off tonight.
