Like at Montpellier Hérault SC, you wear the number 25 at FC Nantes. Why?

The number I like is 8, but it's often taken when I arrive at clubs because it's very popular. So, I don't think too much about it when choosing, I just take the number that speaks to me the most among the ones left. A few years ago at Schalke, I wore 20 for no particular reason. Before that, at Créteil and Metz, I wore 19 because I was born on November 19th. Here, when I joined the club, 8 and 19 were taken, and numbers above 30 didn't interest me, so I chose 25. But I don't have any particular attachment to this number!

Do you remember your first football jersey?

I don't remember it at all! But I do remember one, it's Zinédine Zidane's at Real Madrid with the number 5 on the back. When I was a teenager, we all had it because he was for many of us our idol, a player we wanted to resemble. I can tell you I wore it a lot.

Was he your idol when you were younger?

He was part of it, but I also had two others: Paul Scholes and Deco. They had a way of playing that I particularly liked. I watched them a lot and learned a lot from them. They marked my childhood. And then, Zidane too, because he was the icon, the classy player of the French team.

What's the first match you watched at the stadium?

It was at Gaston-Gérard in Dijon! The club was in the CFA at the time, but I don't remember the opponent. You should know that I was born in Dijon. I did all my training at DFCO from the age of six.

What's the best atmosphere you've experienced?

It's difficult to pick one because they're all different. Here, at La Beaujoire, there's an extraordinary crowd and a special atmosphere. You feel the supporters pushing us and it's noisy. At Schalke, it's the stadium where I played in front of the largest number of supporters. 65,000 people, it's impressive, it's a different atmosphere! And away from home, the Vélodrome, it's always special for a footballer. The atmosphere is incredible. In summary, Schalke was extraordinary because the stadium is impressive and the culture is different. The supporters are always, always singing. La Beaujoire is a stadium that is part of the myths of French football. And the Vélodrome, it's the Vélodrome, it resonates.

"With Téji Savanier, Jordan Ferri, Gaëtan Laborde, and Andy Delort, we had an incredible understanding"

Has a match stood out for you in one of these three stadiums?

My first start with Schalke (on October 14, 2022, against Hoffenheim). In front of 65,000 people, it was really impressive. There, there's a special atmosphere, something you see in few stadiums. It's really a great venue, a great arena. People are close to the pitch and they sing all the time. Before the match, it's extraordinary, during the match, it's extraordinary. So, during my first start, it was really memorable because I had never played in front of so many people supporting the club whose shirt I was wearing.

Who is the most impressive player you've faced?

Kylian Mbappé! Maybe he doesn't do technical moves like Neymar, but he's the most impressive in the sense that he knows what he wants on the field: to score goals. He's a killer. He has only one goal, to be the best player in the world. As a footballer, it's very impressive because you can see that the guy knows where he wants to go. I really think he's the best player I've played against so far.

Who is your best friend in football?

I have quite a few! There's Loïs Diony who plays for Angers today, Jordan Ferri and Téji Savanier at Montpellier, Andy Delort with whom I've also created a strong bond. I formed many affinities during my time at Montpellier. I can also mention Moussa Niakhaté when I played at Metz. But the one I've already been on vacation with and do the most things outside of football with is Loïs Diony.

Which teammate have you gotten along with best on the field?

It was during my seasons at Montpellier. With Téji Savanier, Jordan Ferri, Gaëtan Laborde, and Andy Delort, we had an incredible understanding. We had some very, very good seasons together. We had a certain osmosis, a particular connection on the field that allowed us to win matches. It was with those guys that I got along with the best. We played the same football. It flowed between us!

"What I would have liked to be is an airplane pilot"

What's your favorite move to perform on the field?

The one-two! It's the move I like the most. I'm not a big dribbler, and this one-touch move allows you to easily eliminate an opponent and can create a big opportunity afterward. When the sequence is well executed, it can be very effective!

What move do you think is the most difficult to execute?

I won't be original, but the most difficult thing in football is to score a goal. Simply because it's the culmination of an opportunity, it's what wins matches. And if we're talking about somewhat extravagant moves, I'll say the nutmeg. We succeed a lot of them in training but it's much more difficult in a match. That's why when we see one, it's often well executed and it circulates on social media.

What profession would you have pursued if you hadn't been a footballer?

I would have liked to be an airplane pilot. Being in the air is an incredible sensation. It's something not everyone can do, it's not ordinary. It would have been a nice project. As to whether I would have succeeded, I don't know, but that's what I would have liked to do.

Which swapped jersey are you most proud of?

I exchange jerseys a lot with my former teammates but never with the stars.

Finally, do you have any superstitions before matches?

Yes, I always lace up my left shoe first, then I always step onto the field with my left foot. It's something I've always done since I started playing football.