What had become a joke between friends - "Come on, I bet on a goal from Choupo-Moting in the 90th minute" - crossed the borders of reality, Wednesday evening, in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. With his right foot, on an assist from Kylian Mbappé, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting made the happiness of dozens of slightly crazy punters, all fans of PSG, the club for its fiftieth anniversary and, above all, his and that of his relatives. "I'm happy for PSG and much happier for Choupo," says Joël Epalle, former assistant coach of the Cameroon selection. He was decisive, the final key to this match. It must be a real, real relief for him. "
“Always Believe”. "Always believe in it", in French. This is the motto displayed throughout the day of Thursday on the social network Instagram by the Cameroonian international. Words that perfectly suit his state of mind, characterized by perseverance and confidence in the future, despite obstacles. Without the Covid-19 pandemic and the postponement of the Champions League to this month of August, Choupo-Moting would have left PSG at the end of June, after two seasons crossed almost anonymously. He would not even have played at the end of the Champions League, having been taken off the list provided to UEFA by his club.
When fate gets involved
Without Keylor Navas' refusal to leave immediately after his injury (70th), the 31-year-old striker, a native of Hamburg (Germany), would never have been able to enter the field before the end of regulation time. Sergio Rico would have been the last authorized change for Thomas Tuchel. But nine minutes of imbroglio gave the German time to imagine another scenario and make a double substitution. A boost of fate for Choupo therefore changed his.
The hero of the evening, the unique, the charismatic, the legendary 𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖 𝗠𝗔𝗫𝗜𝗠 𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗣𝗢-𝗠𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 💉 pic.twitter.com/ltvDG3iw3V
- Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) August 12, 2020Celebrated so far for his status as a mascot of the workforce or mocked for his huge blunder in April 2019 against Strasbourg, Choupo went mad in 149 seconds. With a series of dribbles and a penultimate pass on the goal of Marquinhos (90th). Then a perfect placement on his own achievement (93rd) to break the dreams of a collapsed Atalanta Bergamo.
A miracle that even Marco Verratti, injured in his right calf since contact with… Choupo-Moting, could not miss. Limping, the Italian ran like crazy towards his teammates and celebrated the deliverance. “It's hard to describe, then said the striker. It's an amazing time. When I entered, the coach told me to give everything. I had confidence in myself, in the team and it's a very special story ”. To "give", this only son knows how to do. " It gives! Is even his favorite expression, used in the locker room as on social networks.
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All together 💙❤️ # donate!
A post shared by Choupo-Moting (@ mr.choupo) on Aug 12, 2020 at 3:21 pm PDT
“He's fresh, he's honest, he's a good guy, compliments someone close to the group the day after this stunning quarter-final. Everyone thinks so here, well beyond his smile. He might not be our greatest player, but he deserves much better than criticism or mockery. He is a huge hard worker and the whole club is delighted for him. "
"He's an ideal teammate"
Before the final of the Coupe de France, a question asked to Thiago Silva by a Cameroonian journalist, who underlined the "monstrous talent" of his compatriot, had elicited some mocking comments. Today, the supporters, sometimes demanding, no longer laugh when it comes to talking about Choupo-Moting.
“With what he did yesterday, the outlook will change on him, hopes Joël Epalle. That of the fans, the media… I know his determination. Behind his smile, one can have the impression that he lacks resentment, rage. But he always believed in himself, never let go. And he's also an ideal teammate. He knows which club he's playing at and he's mentally prepared for his current role. He will always accept this, live his situation well and must savor these moments. "
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