“The Eagle of the Azores” still hovers above the Parc des Princes.
Pedro Miguel Pauleta left an indelible mark on PSG fans during his five-season stint (2003-2008).
Made up of highs (victories in national cups, a qualification in the Champions League) and very low (fight for maintenance), the time of the Portuguese striker is above all marked by unforgettable goals, notably scored against OM .
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of PSG, Pauleta agreed, in the heart of the summer, to evoke some memories and his pride in belonging to the big red and blue family.
Do you remember your arrival at PSG?
PEDRO MIGUEL PAULETA.
Nothing was easy in the summer of my transfer, it's always like that.
I felt good in Bordeaux.
But when PSG reached an agreement with the Girondins, everything became easier for me.
It was an important period in my career to sign for a club like PSG.
I had this desire to change clubs too.
What did PSG represent at that time?
For me, it's very simple: I came to play for the most important club in France.
PSG is a young club but with a great history, located in the most beautiful city in the world.
This club is special, for me and for all French people.
This club is different!
Three months after your arrival, you nevertheless declared in an interview with the “Parisien” that you were “worried” about your state of form… How did you experience your beginnings?
As with all transferred players, the beginnings require adaptations.
Even knowing French football well, I arrived in a new environment.
I had to get to know my teammates, to gain confidence.
It only looked like the same debut with Bordeaux, where I scored a hat-trick in my first match.
It is true that during the first matches at PSG, I was looking for the goal and it did not come.
But after the first one, I think it was against Monaco, confidence returned.
Were you surprised by the pressure around this club?
No, I knew Paris was a huge club.
PSG have always had this status, not just today.
It's not the same team, of course.
But the pressure was very strong, very different from that in Bordeaux.
Thanks to the experience with the Portuguese selection or with the Deportivo La Coruna, I was already used to it.
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What is your best memory at PSG?
The best memories for players are always the title nights.
I had the opportunity to win cups in France, in the League.
And, inevitably, the Coupe de France 2006 won against OM, which remains the great rival of PSG, represents something.
During my first year too, we finished second in the championship and we won the Coupe de France against Châteauroux, it's a memory that counts.
This 2004 final remains special with the tears of your captain Frédéric Déhu, shouted at by PSG supporters because of his departure for OM…
I remember that moment well.
Fred had already made up his mind and the press had revealed the information.
The supporters did not accept this and were disappointed.
Fred was a great captain, who we all liked in the locker room.
It's a shame it ended like this for him.
He was a player who should have continued with us, he counted a lot in the group.
I told him that it was up to him to receive the Coupe de France.
I was second captain… And it's true that he ended up taking the cup quickly and giving it to me (laughs).
Did you always have additional motivation against OM?
I wouldn't speak of a particular motivation.
It's a different game.
For everyone.
I had the chance to often make the difference, to score against Marseille.
There was always the desire to win against this team because it is the biggest rival.
Goals against OM, Fabien Barthez in particular, are they special in your career?
These are great goals!
But I think the main thing is to have respected this club, the way I behaved with the fans, that's a whole.
Of course goals matter.
Especially when you score almost every game against your rival.
It's important for the fans.
There was Fabien (Barthez), world champion, European champion, a very great goalkeeper.
Even for me, it's still important to score against these goalkeepers.
⚽👐
3⃣ times Pauleta beat Barthez at the Parc des Princes 🏟
📽 @Dugout pic.twitter.com/QdHWVkJglA
- Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) February 25, 2018
Another highlight of your time at PSG comes in 2008 with your departure and this maintenance torn from Sochaux during the last day.
What do you keep as a memory of this episode?
It was a very difficult year.
There was a very negative, weird atmosphere.
Honestly, I could not leave Paris with a descent in the second division.
We were also in the final of the two cups that year.
But I hope that moment will never happen again at PSG.
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What was the emotion after the victory at Sochaux?
Relief.
You come to PSG to win titles and the last season you fight for your maintenance ... It was weird, right?
I wanted to leave PSG with the Coupe de France, the Coupe de la Ligue and this maintenance, of course.
Is it a regret to have known PSG at a less radiant time than today?
I spent five years in a huge club.
There were difficult times, wonderful times too.
If you ask me if I prefer to play in the PSG team today, of course I would say yes.
Who wouldn't?
But during my visit, there were also great players.
I remember my first year, I think there were players who could evolve in today's PSG.
Like who ?
Gabriel Heinze, Juan Pablo Sorin, for example.
They had enormous qualities.
And you too ?
And me too, I think!
At least on the bench (laughs).
“PSG is celebrating its 50th anniversary and people talk about me in the history of PSG.
It's important for me to be next to Cavani, Ibrahimovic ”.
LP / Philippe Lavieille
Ibrahimovic, Cavani, Mbappé, Neymar… You have or will be exceeded in the figures but your name remains forever in the history of PSG.
Is this the most important to you?
Yes.
Let people remember you, not just for the goals scored but for the titles, for everything!
I think I was able to score the club in these areas.
PSG is celebrating its 50th anniversary and people talk about me in the history of PSG.
It's important for me to be next to Cavani, Ibrahimovic.
Your relationship with the fans is almost inexplicable, right?
A bit like a love story ...
It's exactly that.
And the story continues with the fans, with PSG today as the academy's ambassador in Portugal.
I am always available for the club.
I still have this love for PSG.
Every time I go to Paris, there is something special.
I hope it will continue for a long time.
Would you like to have a more important role at PSG?
No.
I just want to serve PSG in any way.
I like my role with the Foundation, the Academy with the children.
I like the club but I'm not looking for a job in Paris (laughs).
You started at PSG almost 17 years ago and the club is now celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Is he where he should be?
Yes.
It must be among the best clubs in the world.
He has to be there and has to be forever.