The health crisis has made direct meeting impossible. Mauro Icardi therefore granted his first interview this Wednesday since his final transfer to PSG at the end of May. "Rest assured, I put on my mask," joked the native of Rosario, who arrived on loan in the capital in September 2019, before dedicating around 20 minutes of conversation in Spanish after training. .
First official recruit of the coming season with the activation of the option to buy 50 million euros exercised by Leonardo, the 27-year-old Argentine striker did not wish to speak on his passage to Inter Milan or the Argentine selection. On the other hand, he confided in his integration into PSG, the succession of Edinson Cavani, his wife Wanda Nara and on the Parisian group, with whom he found great friendships.
NEYMAR, MBAPPE AND THE END OF THE SEASON
On March 11, you celebrated qualification against Dortmund with 4,000 supporters in front of the Parc des Princes. What memories do you keep of this evening?
MAURO ICARDI. This party was incredible! I wanted to let go of the fans because, throughout the match, we heard them singing outside the stadium. It was very moving to be able to share this moment with them when they couldn't have been with us.
How did you experience the stoppage of the season just after this match?
It was weird. Nobody expected it, it was a real surprise. We had to get used to it. We didn't know if training would resume, when we could replay ... In fact, we didn't know anything. Today, after three months of stoppage, inevitably, we are happy to be back, to find the field and to prepare what we have left of the season.
Is it complicated to keep motivation without certainty about the future?
Yes really. Usually there is almost no rest period during the season. There, not only did we know nothing, but in addition we could neither train nor be with the team. In these conditions, yes it is difficult. But we are not the only ones to have been impacted. The crisis was global, difficult for everyone to get through. We are examples for many people, we had to be responsible.
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Are you worried that a second wave will prevent you from resuming competition?
No. The Spanish, Italian and German championships have resumed. The measures and precautions taken in each of them prove that competitions can resume.
How do you feel at the heart of the quartet you are forming with Mbappé, Neymar and Di Maria?
Very well. From my first training in Paris, from our first steps together, we had a good feeling. I knew Angel, of course. But not Neymar, nor Mbappé. From the first minute, they helped me integrate into the team, get used to the little habits of the group. It helped me a lot.
Did you have to seduce them, earn their respect?
No. I came to demonstrate what I can do and help the team. They know it and think the same. You know, football is a collective game. So that everyone succeeds and leads the team to success, we help each other.
Are the media right to call you the Fantastic Four?
I wouldn't say it like that. We read it, we hear it, but it's a nickname that belongs to the press. It has a nice side, but it only concerns four players in a team of eleven and more with the substitutes. I don't really agree with this nickname. But we know it exists and we do with it.
What nickname would you give your quartet?
(laughs) I don't want to give any particular! Each of us has his own qualities and gives the best of himself. The three players we are talking about have enormous strengths. We all try to adapt to each other because, ultimately, the victory of the team, the group and PSG is the only thing that matters.
THE FRIENDSHIP THAT BINDS THE GROUP
On Monday, you celebrated Leo Paredes' birthday with all the staff. Does this reveal the atmosphere that reigns in the group?
Completely. From the first day, I felt that a bond of friendship united the group. It is friendship that defines this team. There is a good understanding, a good atmosphere. It helps a lot on the ground. I think that was verified during the return match against Dortmund. We lost the first leg, but we showed that we could win on the return and achieve our goal.
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Was this moment crucial for the unity of the group?
The victory was decisive, yes. We all had this goal of winning. In Germany, we had not delivered the best of services. The way we approached the return to the Parc des Princes, with our spectators outside, helped us to be better. It's a defining moment of the season.
To what do you attribute the strength of this relationship?
I believe that sharing many moments on a daily basis, having a good atmosphere in the locker room is the most important. It works on the ground, but also outside. As soon as there is a birthday, a meal ... The whole team is there. This is what makes our group strong.
It is even said that you would have made a pact around the Champions League ...
No, there is no pact. But that is the goal of the club and of all the players. There is no pact to make, it is created all by itself.
Do you understand that this unity irritates your leaders when it is manifested by images of celebrations of common birthdays (Editor's note: Icardi, Cavani and Di Maria) after the defeat on the go against Dortmund?
This episode made more noise in the press than it really deserved. This anniversary was very peaceful, family, celebrated in the presence of my children, the children of other players ... Above all, we demonstrated that we could win, qualify against Dortmund, without paying attention to what had happened . That is the most important.
VIDEO. PSG: Neymar in great shape for the birthday of Icardi, Di Maria and Cavani
When you arrived in France, however, there was talk of a possible disagreement with Di Maria because of his friendship with Lionel Messi, close to Maxi Lopez, your wife's ex-husband Wanda Nara… Today, it seems that it is just the opposite, right?
I have a very good relationship with Angel, with Leo (Paredes), with all the South American players. Here in Paris, we are always together and it shows on the ground. This is what helps to have a good understanding in the game. As I said, we see ourselves outside during meals, birthdays, those of children too ... I am happy with my friendship with all these players . We are only passing through this city which is not ours. These relationships allow us to live this stage quietly, with family and that makes me very happy.
THE SUCCESSION OF CAVANI
After arriving in Paris as a lining for Cavani, you quickly took its place at the forefront ...
I did not come in the shoes of a replacement or that of a holder. For me, there is neither one nor the other. I am in Paris to give the best and help the team to win. When this role of holder comes back to me, I give what I can. When it was Edi's turn, he did the same. Only that matters. Nothing is easy in building a group. But the atmosphere is created with this type of professional attitude. We all have to be exemplary.
Is it the fate of a number 9 to alternate periods of tenure and sidelines, as was the case between you and Cavani?
There is a coach who is paid to make choices and decide who should play. We, the players, adapt to decisions.
Is it easy for a coach to announce to a player with a strong character, like yours, that he is a replacement?
The coach is paid for that (laughs) ! Not to answer for my personality. If he judges that a player is better for a particular match, it is his choice. A choice that must be respected, of course.
Edinson Cavani was the darling of the Parc des Princes. Did you, in fact, fear a bad reception from the public when you arrived?
I was not afraid, no. The public welcomed me in the best possible way. From my first appearance in the warm-up, I heard songs. With this audience, I have a very good relationship, like all players. Between us, we try to help each player so that he is comfortable. The public does the same.
Are you going to retrieve the number 9 worn by Edinson Cavani?
I don't know yet, I haven't discussed it with the club. I'm going to end the season with number 18, we'll see next season. We are not going to change now.
Do you understand Cavani's decision not to end the season he started with you?
Edi must be asked the question, it is his decision. The situation is weird for all parties, everyone. There are players who finish their contracts in early July, others who extend. No one expected this unprecedented situation and the pandemic. We had to adapt to it.
Will you miss him?
Obviously. With Edi, we have a good relationship on and off the field. He's a great man. He is the type of person who is always missing.
HIM AND WANDA NARA, HIS WIFE AND AGENT
When did you decide to stay in Paris?
It was not my decision but that of the club. When the call option became a real opportunity, we discussed it with the managers, with Leonardo. We evaluated this decision with my family and we all decided to stay. Leonardo then confirmed to me that the option was exercised. It was easy to sign.
But since when did you want to continue with PSG?
As soon as I arrived from Italy in Paris, my decision was final. The call option could only be triggered this season. But, for me, everything was final since last season.
Have you ever considered returning to Italy for a career choice or a family reason?
No no. I feel good in Paris. I returned to Italy during the holidays and I spent containment there with my family. I stay close, barely an hour by plane. When I want to go back, I can go back. And now my family is entirely settled in Paris.
Was it difficult to have children in Milan and a career in Paris last year?
The decision to leave the children to school in Italy was taken as a family because we were not yet sure of the future, if everything was going to be final in Paris ( Editor's note: from the club ). We spent about four months apart from each other. But the Covid-19 pandemic made it possible to find us all together in Italy. That was the only chance: the removal period was shorter than expected.
Your wife, Wanda Nara Icardi, is also your agent. How do your working relationship and your love life combine?
We decide everything as a family, all together. If there are choices to be made, we talk to each other and we take the best direction for us and the children. There is nothing difficult!
What influence does it have in your career and your life as a father?
Huge, obviously. We got married, we decided to have children. We designed our future together. Today, we are very happy with our couple, the family we are forming. This is what makes a person happy and it makes me very happy.
PODCAST. Wanda Nara and Icardi: beauty and goals
Your partner has 200,000 more followers than you on Instagram (6.6 million against 6.4)… Are you a little jealous?
(Laughs) No, no. We manage our image on social networks together, together. It is very good for both of us that my wife is famous.
Are you a bit like the new David and Victoria Beckham?
(laughs) No, no, it's really another level.
You were born in Argentina, grew up in Spain, played in Italy… Which country do you feel closest to?
I'm from Argentina ! I have family over there. Spain and Italy have been more stages of my life. We will see in the future the best place for my family and where we can settle.
Your body is almost entirely tattooed. What do the drawings represent?
I have a lion with two little lionesses who represent my two daughters with their first names. It is an animal that I love very much. All of my tattoos represent family members. It's like a family book on my skin (smiles).
