Mattéo Guendouzi presented himself relaxed this Thursday during the press conference at the national technical center in Clairefontaine.
The 22-year-old midfielder, often called but never aligned, dreams of a first selection for the France team during this rally which will see the Blues face Kazakhstan on Saturday and then Finland next Tuesday.
The OM player regrets that the match takes place at the Parc des Princes, the stadium of PSG, which is however his training club.
Do you hope to finally play your first minutes with the France team?
MATTEO GUENDOUZI
.
I have made several invitations since I was at OM and before at Arsenal.
I hope to play my first minutes in Blue because it's a kid's dream.
I have worked hard for a long time to be part of this team.
It is already a great pride to be in this group.
Do you have the impression that the public identifies you more since you have been at OM?
Yes, we know that OM is the biggest French club and that it is followed abroad.
I feel my notoriety climb in France.
Do you feel the pressure to validate the ticket for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?
No !
everyone is calm.
We know what we have to do.
We have a very important game to play.
We are focused on this objective.
Are you aware that you are a bit of a divisive player?
Yes I know (smile).
It doesn't bother me at all.
Everyone can have their opinion.
The most important thing is that the people of Marseille adopted me.
Would Karim Benzema make a good Ballon d'Or?
It is exceptional!
What he does with Real is magnificent.
He also brings a lot to the Blues by scoring important goals.
What does it represent to play at the Parc des Princes?
The last game goes back many years.
I would have preferred to play at the Stade de France, that's for sure!
The Parc des Princes is the stadium of PSG.
But we will be keen to win there and I hope that the people who will come to the stadium will be with us wholeheartedly and we will push to qualify for the World Cup.
Would you like to register for the long term with OM?
I'm on loan from Arsenal but I want to project myself into the future with OM.
I am very comfortable here.
I want to continue to have fun in Marseille.
Where does this grinta come from in the field?
Since very young.
I have always had this rage to be the best in the field.
This state of mind fits perfectly with OM and coach Sampaoli.
We have the same way of seeing football.
I have already improved a lot with him and I will learn more.
He pushes me every day to be better.