Statements to “Equipe” regarding his past at Olympiakos, but also his future, were made by Mathieu Valbuena.
The 39-year-old Frenchman emphasized that he is a little disappointed that he left the “red and whites”, while adding that despite the interest from other teams, he has not something official in his hands. He also mentioned that in Greece he would only play for Piraeus.
His statements in detail:
Why did you leave Olympiakos?
“I spent four great years there as I performed well, I had a very good relationship with the chairman and the fans, we agreed to meet to talk about the future. I only signed one-year contracts that we extended each time. We just finished a somewhat complicated season where we finished third and didn’t win a title. We also had four different coaches. Nevertheless, I would like to continue to oversee the youngsters in the team, but the club preferred to offer me to join the staff. I was a little surprised.”
A little disappointed?
“Yes, a little. I had no expectations in terms of playing time, I wasn’t aiming for anything in particular. But a new coach came, a new athletic director as well. They set their terms, they wanted to revitalize the roster and many thirtysomethings were left out. I realized over time that maybe it was better for me to leave too, that I shouldn’t stay.”
But aren’t you tired of looking for a new beginning?
“You know, sometimes, footballers, we complain a bit, we don’t always want to get up in the morning to go to training, but we quickly realize how lucky we are. I realize that. I still want to discover new things, have fun.”
Is it possible to return to France?
“I’m not closed off but, frankly, it’s not my priority. Even in Bordeaux, where it all began and might as well have ended?
It would be a great story, it’s true (smiles). Even in Ligue 2, Bordeaux represents something for me. We’ll see”
Already have suggestions?
“Since the official announcement of my departure from Olympiakos, I have had several calls from agents, managers or intermediaries to tell me about one possibility or another, but nothing concrete at the moment. The president of Olympiakos has many contacts in Greece and offered to find me a team. But in Greece I only wanted to play for one club: Olympiakos. I am in an unprecedented situation: In eighteen years of career, it is the first time that I am single. I still want to have fun and, frankly, the financial aspect doesn’t matter.”
Aren’t you “afraid” to go elsewhere?
“No, because the head and the feet always follow. I would have liked to finish my career at Olympiakos, that’s for sure, but it didn’t go as I hoped. Now I still want to play for at least a year. Again, I feel fresh. If I saw that I wasn’t making any more progress on the field, I would know and stop. But I played 29 games last season (in all competitions), of course it’s more difficult for me to combine high-intensity games, but I can still perform well.”
Do you still need this recognition?
“No, I just want to prove to myself that I can still go on, enjoy a little more. I’m really excited about the idea of ​​being able to take on one last challenge, to discover, maybe, a new country, a new league.”
What keeps you running at almost 39?
“I am driven by this passion for football. I don’t have my 20-year-old legs anymore, of course, but being injury-free so far, I feel like I still have more to give. And then, you know, my story is a little different than other players. I had to go through other paths to succeed, I wasn’t really in the professional world until I was 21, so I want to enjoy it a bit more. People said I was going on vacation when I signed for Olympiakos. I would be 35 and I stayed four years, won titles. I proved the opposite.”
Source: Sport Fm
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
