Kimpembe reveals shocking truths about his injuries and leaving PSG | OneFootball

Presnel Kimpembe, the 30-year-old defender who has just left Paris Saint-Germain to sign with Qatar Sports Club, gave a lengthy interview to Clique on Canal+. The 2018 World Cup champion spoke about his personality, his journey, and his recent departure, which was necessary even if it wasn’t a pleasure.

Kimpembe: “Respect is fundamental. Humility too.”

Presnel is the people’s player… what does that mean?

It means a lot of things at once. It means I’m a local kid, a suburban boy who grew up in the neighborhoods of Paris, I represent Parisian training, all the young players who aspire to become professionals at PSG.

Why such an uncommon first name?

It’s not common, it was my grandfather’s name. My mother chose it after her father, to leave a mark. It doesn’t have a particular meaning. Some people have trouble pronouncing it (smiles).

Kimpembe: “It builds mental strength and character.”

What values have you inherited?

Respect is fundamental. Humility too. The values of living together, especially when you come from the neighborhoods, when you grow up with many others. It builds mental strength and character. I was lucky to grow up in that environment and I’m very, very proud of it.

Loyalty, is that your word?

It’s true, I did all my training here, I grew up here. I gave the Parisian people everything I could.

Kimpembe: “I knew this injury would happen one day, but I didn’t know when.”

Winning has a price, did you pay it?

Twice over (smiles). It was a very complicated period in my life. Honestly, I knew this injury would happen one day, but I didn’t know when.

Did you feel it coming?

Before the 2022 World Cup, I was called up and I already had pain, I was doing as much treatment as possible, strengthening my calf to avoid injury. But I decided not to go, because my health wasn’t great. I wouldn’t have been able to help the team 100%. I was diminished.

How do you feel it?

No athlete wakes up with zero pain. We go to training, it’s the job. People think there’s no pain. But when we wake up, we all say we have aches and pains.

Kimpembe: “In the morning I couldn’t walk.”

Muscle soreness?

No, in the morning I couldn’t walk, I was limping. It took time to warm up every morning. There’s also a big warm-up with training. It was a complicated period, I really suffered before it happened.

Who can you talk to at that time?

To a lot of people, it helps to unload, to vent. We’re lucky to have staff, psychologists, friends, teammates who become friends or brothers.

Kimpembe: “It was hard. I started to realize it since Sunday.”

How was the decision made to go to Qatar?

Everything went quickly, I spoke with the club about my situation, about how we could move forward while staying cordial. I knew there wouldn’t be any war with Paris. Everything’s fine. There was never a problem. I just want to play.

I spoke with management, the president, and especially the coach. I explained to them that I couldn’t do a third year like this. That it would be complicated. They agreed with me. They want to see me play. We agreed that I needed to go. It was hard. I started to realize it since Sunday.

Kimpembe: “The most important thing is to play football again.”

Qatar, is it seen as a golden retirement?

I just want to play football again, I’ve had two and a half, almost three years, where I’ve been dragging my injuries. I suffered a lot. I helped a lot from the sidelines, I didn’t train with the group, I was behind. I trained a lot alone, it hurts. When you’re close, and there’s a little setback, you have to start over. It’s not easy.

Afterwards, I hear that some people think about the money. But I was already earning a good living in Paris, it will be good in Qatar too. The contracts aren’t made the same way. I’m not leaving for the money, I was already earning a lot, thank God. The most important thing is to play football again. The level isn’t the same, but you shouldn’t underestimate it either.

Who do you want to face over there?

Marco Verratti! We’re still very close, we texted just yesterday. It’ll be a real pleasure to see him again.

There’s still a good level there, right?

Yes, of course. It’s not just about the money. There’s life in Qatar, family. I have a life project for after, I’m not just thinking about football. I’m an entrepreneur, I’m also thinking about how my children will grow up, that they’ll be safe. I want them to have a comfort I didn’t have.

Kimpembe: “There are a lot of things to watch out for.”

Do you have to be careful about certain things when you’re a footballer?

There are a lot of things to watch out for.

How did you avoid the pitfalls?

I’m from Paname, I know everyone (laughs).

Asked to share his hopes for the future, Kimpembe, who believes he “still has several years to play at a high level,” sees a future as an “entrepreneur.”

Have you seen players where you thought things would go badly?

Yes, plenty. You see the entourage, the outings… You can go out, but there are limits. It’s about how you act. If you’re respectful, you won’t have problems.

Kimpembe: “It’s the year I developed the fastest, I was so hungry. The year was decisive.”

Have you ever felt: it’s this year or it’s over?

Yes, it was intense. It was my last pre-training season, at 14. I remember my generation, ‘95, was considered the weakest at PSG. I almost didn’t make it. When I entered the academy, it was without a contract. It was just me and myself. It’s the year I developed the fastest, I was so hungry. The year was decisive.

What happens to those who don’t make it?

Some bounce back elsewhere, differently. All the young players hope to be professionals, we want PSG, Manchester, Barcelona, Madrid. We don’t think about National, no disrespect.

Are you not free in football?

No, you have to be careful about everything.

Is that something you learned?

Yes, it’s shown in the way I’ve calmed down (smiles).

Kimpembe: “I was thinking about myself when I was little.”

Your smile at the Parc on Sunday, was it to avoid breaking down and crying right away?

Yes, it was intense (smiles). It was a moment I was anticipating, in a good way of course. I wasn’t alone, I had my children. I was thinking about myself when I was little. I arrived at 8 years old, my oldest son is 7. I see everyone who was there for me.

Is there something stronger than everything, the passion?

I’m lucky to have very good relationships with my club and the supporters. I get along well with everyone.

Do you also thank the people we don’t see?

There are a lot. I’ve built strong bonds with everyone. Security, kitchen, cleaning, gardeners…

Kimpembe: “I realized a lot of things”

How did you manage football with the birth of your premature son?

I went to work every day, you had to be strong. I don’t like to show my problems. You can hide things. It was complicated, it was in the middle of the season, he was born at 5 months. When I saw him, he was the size of my hand! It really affected me. I realized a lot of things, that there’s so much in life. Not just football. (…) Seeing them wear the PSG jersey, that’s an achievement for me.

Do you understand your father better today?

Clearly. Today, we’re lucky to be able to put a lot of things in place. My parents didn’t have that.

A message for your mother?

Every day, we’re very close. If I’m here today, it’s partly thanks to her.

The craziest thing done for you?

I have a little story. I used to do karate before football. My mother didn’t want me to do boxing. I came home from school, I was very tired, I said I wouldn’t go to karate. I felt really bad. I fell asleep. She woke me up at the time of the competition.

She dressed me, took me there. I beat everyone, I came first. And then she says, as always, “that’s my son.” That’s the most beautiful thing. It’s because I saw my mother on Sunday, that’s why I cried. It was too powerful. My mother is my strength and also my weakness.

The full interview:

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