Matvey Safonov speaks candidly about his role at PSG | OneFootball

Matvey Safonov, the 27-year-old Paris Saint-Germain and Russia goalkeeper, spoke to the official website of the Russian Football Federation after joining up with the national team. He happily discussed his place at PSG and his return to Krasnodar, his formative club, for the national team’s match against Nicaragua this Friday.

Safonov: “Just as I fought (...), I’m still doing so.”

Matvey, hello. What’s new? How are you?

I’m doing well! I missed my flight in Istanbul, bought another ticket, but I arrived today. That’s the main thing.

And in reality?

It was a wonderful moment, full of nostalgia, and I found myself at Krasnodar’s training center. I’m over the moon.

The last time you came, it was in November. You seem to be in a more positive frame of mind now.

Just as I fought for what was important and dear to me at the time, I’m still doing so.

How has your life changed recently?

Everyone knows I’ve been playing a bit more often, so I arrived in great shape.

Safonov: “You could say my life in Paris has been split in two: before and after.”

Can you now walk your dog or go to the supermarket without any problems?

People come up to me and recognize me much more often. I’m on TV more often. It must have become more difficult. After the Intercontinental Cup, you could say my life in Paris has been split in two: before and after.

Weren’t there ten people behind you?

I try to avoid that. If I go to the supermarket, it’s to do my shopping, not to take pictures. I wear a mask and a hood.

Safonov: “It’s a special moment for me.”

What does it feel like to come home knowing the Russian national team will play here?

When I found out the match would take place in Krasnodar, I hoped I would be called up. So now, I hope to play in the stadium where it all began.

Is there any particular emotion?

Actually, I was at the stadium last summer to attend two Krasnodar home matches. So it hasn’t even been a year and a half since I left. But as a player, this is a return, and it’s important to me. I’m really looking forward to seeing the fans and the stadium again. Even now, I’m feeling nostalgic; I’m walking around with a smile. Everything feels so familiar. I spent an important part of my career here. It’s a special moment for me.

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