Passed from the 7th division with AS Cannes in the summer of 2014 at the World Cup in Russia under the jersey of Tunisia, the country of his mother, in 2018 (1 goal against Belgium), Dylan Bronn, 25, ephemeral deliveryman of sushi, revealed itself late.
Today in Metz, opposed this Sunday to the Lyon leader (9 p.m., Téléfoot), one of the basic men of the Lorraine defense (19 games out of 19 this season) carries with him a good mood and a refreshing spontaneity.
Well in his club and in his head, he confided in all simplicity.
Are you aware, one year after your arrival in Metz, that you have already become a member of the group?
DYLAN BRONN.
The coach gives me his trust.
In return, I give everything.
It is in my nature to never cheat.
There is no better way to gain the respect of your teammates.
Since I was very young, I have always had in me this soul of a leader.
I like to support my partners.
Push them.
All of us, as much as we are, must instill confidence in our teammates and pull ourselves to the top.
🔁 The #FCMetz holds its second reinforcement of the winter transfer window!
Tunisian central and international defender Dylan Bronn arrives from @KAAGent and has signed up for five seasons👇
- FC Metz ☨ (@FCMetz) January 3, 2020
What did the replacement of Hognon by Antonetti in October change for you?
Without being with us, coach Antonetti remained close to the group.
The link had never been broken.
In the meantime, Vincent Hognon has fulfilled all the objectives set.
Humanly, he is an exceptional person.
Very close to the players.
His refusal to become number 2 again is understandable.
He had his reasons.
They are respectable.
Every human being has the ambition to go higher.
He has the capacity.
What is the nature of your relationship with Antonetti?
It brings me a lot.
With his experience, he teaches us football a bit like at school.
He explains a lot of new things.
In contact with him, I make progress on a daily basis.
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Metz 12th in Ligue 1 after 19 days, was it predictable?
Last August, the challenge was to get a better ranking than last season (15th).
For now, we seem to be on the right track, even if the differences are slim.
During the first leg, we still lost points for lack of experience.
In Paris (1-0), or in Marseille (1-1) in particular.
We still have logical gaps with regard to the youth of the workforce.
We learn from our mistakes.
Regardless of the team in front of us, we enter the field to hurt him.
We are not going to behave differently against Lyon while being aware of the potential of this club.
Your background is atypical.
Do you cultivate your difference in a somewhat formatted football world?
I am aware of having a different trajectory.
I'm very lucky to be where it is today.
As a teenager, I was a bit crazy, full of life with the desire to enjoy life.
I did not take the classic course by integrating a training center.
It might be better this way.
I don't know if I would have accepted, from the age of 13 or 14, to make certain sacrifices.
I like my way.
When I felt the urge to cut the cord, I did it to be successful.
Today, that's my strength.
Six years ago when you played in the 7th division, did you imagine yourself one day in Ligue 1?
When I was 18, when I joined the CFA at AS Cannes, the equivalent of the 4th division, I had a reasoned ambition.
But when the club, faced with financial problems, was administratively demoted to DHR in the summer of 2014, my morale took a hit.
You then go back down to the bottom of the ladder.
Ligue 1 was more of a dream, even a utopia, even if it never left a corner of my head.
I was aiming at the National at best.
You also delivered sushi between two foot-volleys on the sands of Cannes ...
I helped out a friend for three or four days.
He had just opened a restaurant.
He asked me if I could spare the time to find someone.
As I was available during the day, I accepted.
Be careful, I did not lead a lousy life.
With my parents, I was like a rooster in paste.
I took advantage of my friends.
Most get up at six in the morning, even today, to go to work.
These people command respect.
We are privileged.
Having known football from below, I appreciate my current situation even more.
But I will never forget where I come from.
Did your life before represent a form of safeguard?
The big head, very little for me!
My parents have been married for 40 years.
They still love each other just as much if not more.
They instilled in me certain values.
I'm struggling to hold on.
I was brought up in a loving family.
As a teenager, I went out a lot, I saw friends.
I had no visibility for my future, except to kick a ball at the amateur level.
My older brother was there to guide me and keep me from straying from the right path.
Obviously, he succeeded ...
Yes.
I am quiet, nice to everyone.
I just try to be myself, smile, be positive and bring good vibes.
On a pitch, I put no pressure on myself.
Football remains a game. Pure pleasure.
I don't set a limit.
Bourvil with his song "Salade de fruits" is it still high in your playlist?
Of course.
I am not in the codes.
I have quite eclectic tastes.
It goes from US rap to French variety without rocking.
I remain a musical enigma for my friends.
In the evening, I sometimes put on songs that break the mood.
I love.
Bourvil, it's thanks to my father.
When I lived with him, he sang his refrains all day.
I like to sing them for my hazing.
My partners take me for a UFO.
Like a concert or a movie, does a football match make sense in the absence of an audience?
We have been living in a particularly frustrating situation for several months.
As a professional, we adapt.
We strive to disregard it, to draw from our head an over-motivation.
But the very essence of our sport, sport in general, is to be played in front of the public.
I cannot conceive of a stadium without an audience, without chants, whistles or applause.
It lacks an ingredient essential to the beauty of football.
Strongly the return of the supporters.
Do you know what you have in common with former Dutch international Dennis Bergkamp?
(He thinks)
.
Oh yes, maybe the fear of planes (
Editor's note: at Bergkamp it was a real phobia that often led him to travel by train or car
).
It's improving with me.
It is a bit of ancient history.
By increasing the number of trips, in clubs or with the Tunisian selection, this apprehension has faded.