They go on vacation together and even shared an apartment in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines) for a year when they were at the PSG training center. If their paths have separated, Kingsley Coman and Presnel Kimpembe, have kept a very strong bond. A friendship built upon their arrival at PSG at the age of 10.
“When you leave, like them, your family and neighborhood very early, you have to recreate a new band of friends,” explains Yves Gergaud, who recruited and trained them for three years at PSG. They grew up together, created a lifelong bond that guides them. Presnel was more outgoing, it turned a lot of things between them with especially Ferland (Mendy). They were good, attentive kids with a strong will to succeed. From the start, they were programmed for the high level. Kingsley was above the rest. I remember a tournament in Arousa (Spain) with all the big European clubs, it was exceptional. "
"I was cooking and Presnel was cleaning"
Even though Yves Gergaud had appointed him captain and considered him "a positive leader", Kimpembe matured later. But he was able to count on the daily support of his friend Kingsley.
“At the start, he was perhaps not one of the strongest, the earliest,” explains the current Bayern striker. But on and off the pitch, he's always been serious. I am in a good position to know this because we lived together. He put in the effort it took to build his career and the work paid off. The two of us have always supported each other. Presnel is like family. We're almost brothers. We lived together, it brought us closer together. I cooked him food, cleaned him up. "
A few years later, here are the kids of Eragny (Val-d'Oise) and Moissy-Cramayel (Seine-et-Marne) about to face each other in the final of the most prestigious European Cup, Sunday evening . “I spent three superb years with them, we could say that two or three of this generation would become pros one day but from there being world champion or winning the Champions League, we could not imagine, concludes Yves Gergaud. They will have a great time competing in the final. "