Interview | USMNT & Monaco forward Folarin Balogun: ‘If you score a lot of goals in the World Cup and you take your country far, it can change the direction of your career.’ | OneFootball

Before he headed over to the US, Get French Football News spoke with AS Monaco and USMNT forward Folarin Balogun (24) ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

What does it mean for you to represent your country at the World Cup this summer? 

It’s a big, big opportunity. There’s a great sense of pride. I’m really looking forward to representing America on home soil and making the country proud. 

Would you say that you have a very pivotal role to play for the US this summer? Lots of people are kind of looking at you now, even maybe more so than, say, Pulisic, as almost the leader of the attack at this year’s World Cup… 

Yeah, definitely. I think it’s an opportunity, as I said, but it’s also the biggest sporting event in the world. There are going to be millions, if not billions, of eyes watching it. This is a great opportunity for me to showcase my talent. It’s what you want as a child.

I think with great pressure also comes great responsibility. But overall, I’m very excited, and it’s important to take my club form into the international stage and be a pivotal player. 

What do you do to ensure that this pressure a good feeling, a good pressure, not a bad pressure? 

Yeah, I think it’s down to the work you do every day. I think if you train hard and you work hard when this opportunity comes, there’s nothing to be scared of. But if you’re not having maybe a good season and then you go into the World Cup, there’s going to be a lot of pressure. So this is why, at the beginning of the season, I said the most important thing is to focus on what I’m doing here in Monaco. And then, in the summer, when the World Cup comes, if I have a good season in Monaco (43 games, 19 goals, five assists), then it will be easier to go into the World Cup. 

The fact that you play at home, you are one of the most important players on the international team; this moment can change your life. Do you agree with that? 

Yeah, I agree. If you score a lot of goals in the World Cup and you take your country far in this competition, it can change the direction of your career. So this is something to excite you. I don’t think it’s something to be nervous about. So I’m looking forward to this. 

What are your biggest memories of the World Cup? 

I would say the biggest is the most recent, France v Argentina. Of course, there are more. But the last final was one of the most amazing football matches I’ve ever watched. So it just shows the magnitude of how important the World Cup is. And I think it’s not just me, but I’m sure my teammates as well are very excited. 

The USMNT is always in the top 16 in the world, more or less. So what’s your goal in this competition? 

To go as far as possible. I’m not naive; It’s not going to be easy. But the objective is to go as far as possible. The thing we’re saying within the USA is to believe. And why not? So, the objective is to go as far as possible. But I think it’s important just to set small objectives. Of course, make it out of the group, then prepare for the knockout phase. 

Do you feel ‘soccer’ is becoming more and more a big deal in the USA?

I hope so. When I’m in Europe, you know, I only focus on European things when I’m in Europe. You know, I play in Europe. When I go to America in the summer, then I’m hoping to see the country supporting football and everybody involved. And this would make me happy. And I’m sure it’s important for the country. And this is what they want also.

Which country has the best squad?

I mean, in terms of on paper, I’d probably say France. There’s no denying the quality in their squad. But the World Cup doesn’t come down to who has the best team on paper. It comes down to different things.

Just in terms of Mauricio Pochettino and him coming in, I know he’s said a lot about, ‘Why not us?’ So he’s trying to give the squad lots of belief. What has he brought? He’s so experienced in the Premier League as well; he is such a big name…. Has he brought a lot of belief that the US can go far? 

Yeah, he’s brought belief. He’s brought a fighting mentality. He’s a top coach. I think he’s had a big responsibility coming in. The objective for him, as I said, is to go as far as we can in the World Cup. But he’s definitely had a positive impact, making the squad a lot more competitive. I’m looking forward to the summer, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we do and, as I said, to making the country proud. 

Tell us about Paraguay, your first opponent in the World Cup…

[They’re] very aggressive. When we played against them [last time], there was a big fight, and I think the coach ended up on the floor! So, I think this shows that it’s not going to be an easy game. But, yeah, I’m hoping, in the World Cup, for better officiating. So, it’s not going to be so crazy. 

Do you think it’s going to be more than a World Cup for American citizens? Can you also help people be happy during the summer? 

Yeah, I hope so. I hope so. My dream is also that the way that the fans are in Europe, that this is going to be the same in America. So there’s a lot more potential for football to grow in America. I hope the World Cup can be something that can help that happen. 

Okay. With all the problems we have in terms of geopolitics, do you think this World Cup can be like a break, a form of escapism?

What happens around the world, in general, as a player, you have your opinions. But I think the most important thing is to remember my job. My job is obviously to play football. And through playing football and doing my job well, I can impact many lives, and I can help people across the world. I don’t get involved in the political stuff because, as I said, that’s not my job. But I’m fully focused on having a good World Cup in America, making the country proud. And I’m sure if I do this, it’s going to provide a lot of joy to a lot of people.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco