This time, no Kylian Mbappé. Before the last qualifying match for Euro 2024 against Greece, this Tuesday, it was Adrien Rabiot who appeared before the press half an hour late due to difficult traffic in Athens. “Excuse us,” says the press chief first. Then the midfielder of Juve and the Blues, scorer against Gibraltar (14-0) unfolded, commenting widely on his growing status within the selection. He also did not fail to point out that if successful, the Blues could secure the lead in the FIFA rankings at the end of the year.
Are the Blues better than at the World Cup?
ADRIEN RABIOT. I don’t know. We are continuing what we have done well. We are serious, determined in every match, we proved it again on Saturday (Editor’s note: against Gibraltar, 14-0). In the game, I don’t know. It will be necessary to compare it in another major competition. The group is on a good roll.
Is this a match that you are dreading so as not to get injured?
It’s always complicated, it’s a period where we play a lot. This has been the case for many seasons. I also noticed that during this period in November there were often more injuries. But, the best way to avoid getting injured, I think, is to play hard, not to hold back.
How do you manage to motivate yourself when you are already qualified and seeded?
I have motivation every time I enter the field. There are challenges that we set for ourselves such as finishing with the maximum points in these qualifications. We know that if we win or do better than Argentina, we will finish the year first in the FIFA rankings. That’s the kind of goal we have in mind.
Are you more of a balance or projection player?
I already said at the World Cup that I defined myself more as a balance player. I don’t have the same role at Juve where I am more of a projection player. I won’t come back to that, my role in the French team is more of a balancing role in the team.
Coming to a press conference is a mission that usually falls to executives. Do you enjoy the exercise?
Not necessarily. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I enjoy the exercise. It doesn’t bother me, I do it with pleasure, seriousness and professionalism. It can be part of the role of a team manager to have to appear in front of you, to answer questions, it is also a certain mark of confidence.
“I am more of a field leader”
Will you be captain on Tuesday, and does this executive role push you to open up more?
On the question of captaincy, I know nothing at all. Honestly I don’t think so. Afterwards, about my personality, my character, I am someone who is very open outside the media and social networks, whether with my family, my friends, people from the outside. I do it naturally. For the rest, I prefer to remain reserved, it’s my choice.
Do you consider yourself a leader of the team?
In my own way, yes, I think I am. But we can all be that in our own way I think. Not necessarily outside, in the media. I am more of a leader on the ground, I am also one in the privacy of the locker room, being able to discuss, give advice. We need different personalities for a group to function well.
Have you given up on playing with Paul Pogba again and how is he doing?
On what will happen with Paul (Pogba), I have nothing to tell you. I don’t know what will happen with him. We talk, we saw each other in the selection, we’re going to dinner together. Paul is very outgoing, I think the situation is weighing on him. I hope for his sake that the sanction will be the least difficult. We are all dejected because he is a great player, a great man and having to face everything he has had to face in recent weeks, in recent months, and even in recent years, it’s a lot. We are all with him.
