Speaking in an interview with Kicker, PSG’s Marquinhos reflects on captaining the Parisian club club and the responsibility it brings, characters at the club and the influence Lionel Messi and Co. have.
You are the captain of one of the best teams in the world, how do you deal with the responsibility?
“At PSG you always have a responsibility because big players play here and a lot of money is invested. It’s motivating to have big goals, that applies to everyone here. In everyday life you have to talk to each a lot but every game is different, you always have to do your best.”
Is it really always that easy? PSG in particular has many different characters.
“We have a very good atmosphere in the team, even if we sometimes have different opinions. So far we have gotten everything sorted out, whether it went well or badly. There are great personalities at every top club. For me, it’s always important to talk a lot, to be honest and to keep the group together. With good performances and mutual help on the pitch, the rest will take care of itself.”
What influence do players like Messi and Co. have, both sporting and personally?
“We get along better and better on the pitch. Of course we initially had to find the position that suits everyone best, most recently with Leo. But you can see him highly motivated every day, whether in training or during a games. After returning from the World Cup, he’s working towards getting to the same level he was before. Whether it’s Messi, Neymar and Mbappé, they are three great players who want to win. We want to benefit from that.”
PSG host Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday night ahead of the second-leg on March 8. The two teams last met during the 2020/21 season, the Ligue 1 side beating Bayern on away goals to secure a place in the semi-final. Prior to that, Hansi Flick’s Bayern beat PSG in the 2019/20 final, Kingsley Coman scoring the only goal of the game.
Bayern Munich will be without Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernandez and Sadio Mané on Tuesday.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
