Blaise Matuidi: "Living in Miami is magic"

On the phone from Miami, Blaise Matuidi's first words are to evoke the defeat of PSG against Manchester United in the Champions League (1-2).

Nothing to worry about the world champion: “A season is long.

His also started badly in a franchise that squats at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings (10th out of 14).

Since his first match on September 7, the former Parisian midfielder has played in all twelve of Inter Miami's matches for five wins (including the last 2-1 on Saturday against Orlando), two draws and five losses.

A delicate apprenticeship for the club led by David Beckham who is discovering MLS this season.

With the Argentinian Gonzalo Higuain, his ex-teammate at Juventus Turin, Blaise Matuidi, 33, decided this summer to live an American dream that had haunted him for years.

Does it seem surprising to find yourself in Miami?

BLAISE MATUIDI.

Yes and no.

For years when I go on vacation, it's in the United States.

With my wife, we love American life.

It has always made me dream.

I always told myself that if I ever had the opportunity to come and live there, whether during or after my career, I would take the plunge without hesitation.

The opportunity presented itself and I really wanted to give it a try.

I am very happy today.

We discover a new environment, people with a completely different culture.

We liked this way of life whether in Los Angeles, New York or Miami.

These towns are very pleasant for a vacation.

But I realize being here that it's also great to live there.

Do you enjoy it more than when you were in Paris or Turin?

I already have to focus a lot on the team.

We have a great challenge to take up.

It's brand new, the club is six months old.

It takes time to put everything in place, and we meet franchises who have a lot more experience than Inter Miami.

But there is also, of course, my family, the well-being of my wife and my children.

Here, there is everything they need to be well: school first, sporting life for them too.

I needed to get closer to them, being here allows me.

There is also a lot to see and visit.

We get down to it as soon as I have a little time.

Was the presence of David Beckham decisive in your choice?

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I don't know if that's really what made the difference, but it's nice that a person like him shows me his attachment.

For me he is an example.

For having rubbed shoulders with him in Paris, even for a short time

, I saw the man he was beyond the career he was able to know.

When he contacted me, I wanted to be part of this project, of this family, naturally.

With the Covid, he unfortunately does not have the possibility to travel and accompany us.

But I can tell you that he is present, he is always in contact, very close to the team.

He needs to know the feelings of the players, of the coach, to show that he is there despite the distance.

He looks forward to being with us on a daily basis and passing on his wishes to us.

After dominating with PSG (2011-2017) or Juventus Turin (2017-2020), you are in a team with more difficult results.

How do you live it?

It should be taken as a challenge.

When I arrived, the team had started badly, and I knew the task was difficult.

But I also know that there is potential.

I saw it during training.

I am convinced that from next year, we will fight for the title in MLS.

I see the quality of the workforce, I discover the championship and I tell myself that by knowing each other a little more, by having a little more experience ... With Gonzalo, we arrived a little late, others players had also missed part of the preparation.

We must not forget that these are players who have never played together before.

Everyone comes from different clubs.

We need to take all our bearings.

This season can serve as a springboard to aim for the title.

This is the goal of the club.

How do you judge the level of the North American Championship?

I was surprised by the level of the players individually.

There is a lot of technical quality, intensity ... There should sometimes be more tactical thinking to evolve.

This is what it lacks compared to the major European championships.

"I did not say that I was stopping the France team", underlines Blaise Matuidi./LP/Arnaud Journois  

After the Blues matches, there was the resumption of the Champions League.

Do you watch these games with a pang of heart?

Of course I watched the matches of the France team, and as I remain a big football fan, the Champions League is the biggest competition in the world.

I continue to support the clubs I have been to such as Juventus Turin and PSG.

But will you never play it again?

In football, you never know.

You should never speak in advance.

When we see what Zlatan

doing

at AC Milan… When he played in the United States, everyone saw him finished and today, he makes his team happy!

For my part, I live in the moment, I feel really good at Inter Miami.

I want to give the best of myself here during my contract

whether on the field or outside where I must serve as an example.

I don't think about what could possibly happen next.

This is not my way of thinking.

I made a choice, with all the consequences it implies.

I was aware of this when giving my answer.

I have no regrets.

The consequences are not to be called up for the French team anymore?

I wouldn't say that… The coach knows my worth and what I'm capable of.

Afterwards, to say that it is complicated, yes of course.

MLS in the eyes of everyone is not necessarily of the standard of the big championships.

It is reality.

I was aware of it but it was decided.

I know what I have been able to do in the past and I know what I can still do.

I did not say that I was stopping the France team even though I know there is competition, players who play in very big clubs.

I know what I can give her as I also know what she has given me.

If I am called upon, I will be the first to respond.

But today I am focused on my club.

I have to help him grow.

This is what matters most to me.

Do you dream of the Olympics?

(Laughs)

It makes everyone dream, but talking about the Olympics would be premature on my part.

Are you missing something in your new life?

Honestly, I am very, very happy.

Living in Miami is magic.

The weather is nice every day, everything is perfect for my family.

Afterwards, I miss my brothers and sisters, my mom and my dad.

I hope that the restrictions

will soon be lifted and that we can meet again.

I think if they come to Miami they will want to stay!