PSG and Brazil stopper/midfielder Marquinhos has spoken about how his game has evolved in the French capital and where he sees it going in the future.
Speaking to French sports comedian Julien Cazarre for PSG Le Mag, Marquinhos made it clear that he is revelling in the key role he plays for Paris Saint-Germain.
"Being a pillar of the team, being an important player, is something you earn. You don't ask for it and you don't knock on the door to claim it. You have to earn it on the field, you have to make it happen," said the 25-year-old, who has shown tremendous fighting spirit ever since his arrival from AS Roma back in 2013. "I try to make myself available to the club, to the team."
Since the arrival of German coach Thomas Tuchel, Marquinhos has been handed the new challenge of playing in a holding midfield role, something he is grateful for.
'I can improve'
"Earlier, I thought I should settle on one particular position, but Tuchel managed to change my mentality," he explained. "When he put me in midfield, I told him it was difficult for me. It's a very different job, with very different positioning. When you're in defence, you see the game in front of you, but in the middle, it seems like things are moving too fast."
Despite his constant progress in PSG shirt, Marquinhos - who has played his way into Brazil's starting XI (46 caps) since his move to Paris - is aware that he can do even better, especially in attack.
"I can improve in terms of my attacking contribution, but also in terms of shielding the defence with good positioning and movement and covering opposition full-backs and midfielders when we're pressing, especially when we've just lost the ball," said the fierce competitor. "I just know that I can improve a lot more, especially with my attacking placement."
Paris Saint-Germain return to Ligue 1 Conforama action at home to LOSC in Week 14 action at 20:45 CET on Friday, 22 November.