Exclusive | Kleberson on his time at Manchester United: ‘The French players were always very welcoming.’ | OneFootball

Get French Football News recently caught up with Brazilian World Cup winner and former Manchester United midfielder Kleberson, who has fond memories of some of the French players with whom he shared the Old Trafford pitch.

Kleberson played alongside the likes of strikers Louis Saha and David Bellion, but it is a French defender who made the greatest impression on him as a team-mate: “Mikaël Silvestre really stood out for me. He was incredibly solid and consistent and could play both at left back and centre back at a very high level. I played against him internationally as well, and he was always difficult to face. Off the pitch, he was calm, professional and intelligent, the kind of player every coach trusts.”

Kleberson retains a soft spot for Bellion too, and appreciated all the French contingent at United, remembering that “Bellion was very young at the time but very friendly and open. Communication was not easy because my English was poor then, but the group at United made it easy to settle and the French players were always very welcoming.”

‘Young players in Brazil and France grow up playing without fear’ – Kleberson

As Kleberson settled into the Manchester United changing room, another member of Les Bleus was about to leave and, although they never played a competitive game together, goalkeeper Fabien Barthez left a strong mark on him: “The first memory that always comes to mind is that Roberto Carlos free kick where the ball moves in a way you cannot explain. Barthez experienced moments like that because he played with personality and courage. He was very comfortable with the ball at his feet, liked to build play, and was never afraid to take responsibility. He was not someone who joked a lot, but players respected him because he was confident and brave, and that is very important for a goalkeeper at the highest level.”

The fact that Kleberson spent so much time with French players (as well as playing under Jean Tigana at Besiktas, and alongside Sebastien Le Toux at Philadelphia) highlights that Brazil and France are consistently the biggest exporters of footballers. “I think it comes from culture and freedom”, Kleberson suggests. “Young players in Brazil and France grow up playing without fear, expressing themselves, taking risks and enjoying football. There is pressure, but there is also belief. When players feel free to play their game, many of them explode and reach a very high level. That mentality has helped both countries produce world-class players for generations and succeed on the biggest stages.”

Kleberson was talking to GFFN courtesy of BetVictor Online Casino

GFFN | Jeremy Smith