Ruiz on the Champions League, Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé | OneFootball

Fabian Ruiz, the 30-year-old Paris Saint-Germain and Spain midfielder, spoke to The Athletic about various topics, including the Champions League, the tensions at the end of the World Cup, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (the 25-year-old PSG and Georgia forward), and Ousmane Dembélé (the 29-year-old Paris forward and France international).

Ruiz: “fight to achieve something historic.”

The objectives?

We hope to be in contention to win the Champions League again this year for the third time. That is our main objective: to be there and fight to achieve something historic.

A very difficult final after Arsenal’s goal?

From that point on, they dropped back; we tried to attack, but it was difficult. We know they are a great team: they defend very well as a unit and they are aggressive players. Ous’s goal came from a penalty, which gave us a little more composure.

Ruiz: “We always try to set the right example”

The tensions after the World Cup final?

It is a scene that everyone saw, but that nobody likes to see. Children watch football, and it is not an example to show them. You have to know how to win and how to lose. Nobody likes defeat, but it was a rather unpleasant moment in a World Cup final.

We always try to set the right example, because everyone watches football, from the youngest to the oldest. It was a moment that displeased everyone, but I hope it will be forgotten and that people will instead remember our celebrations, which were unforgettable.

Ruiz: “He understands the game very well, which helps us a lot”

The run of 50 matches unbeaten with Spain?

It is incredible to have played 50 matches with the national team without ever losing. It is an anecdotal statistic, but the less you lose, the better.

Kvaratskhelia?

He is an incredible player, especially in the opposition half, where he breaks lines with ease; he has an excellent right-footed shot. He understands the game very well, which helps us midfielders a lot, because he knows where the spaces are, he knows how to receive the ball at his feet as well as play long. He is a winger who helps us enormously in defense; that is one of his specialties.

Ruiz: “He is an incredible person who lifts you up”

Is Dembélé special?

That is why he won the Ballon d’Or last year: he is a player who stands out because of his qualities, his ability to play with both feet, his speed, and the goals he scores. Defensively, he gives us valuable help, which is important for us midfielders.

I also want to highlight his human side, which nobody sees except those who are around him every day and enjoy having him there. He is an incredible person who lifts you up, helps you, and brings joy to the dressing room. That is what I would emphasize above all else.

Is it possible to win the UCL again?

Why not dream of a third Champions League title, of winning every possible trophy?

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.