During Flashscore's recent visit to the Qatar Stars League, Presnel Kimpembe spoke exclusively about his new life, Ousmane Dembele's Ballon d'Or success and his dream of playing in next summer's World Cup.
How is your acclimatisation going in Qatar, just a few weeks after your arrival?
"Everything's going well, and I'm very happy to be here. At the moment, everything's going well, both with the team and personally."
Why did you sign for Qatar SC?
"I had the opportunity to come here, and I liked the setting and the sporting aspect too. I needed to come here to rediscover my form and get some playing time."
Are there any differences with Europe?
"There's no doubt that it's a big change between the European culture and that of Qatar. For me, it doesn't change much because I've already travelled here several times and I know the city and the country. Everything's going well."
Do you regret not finishing your career at PSG?
"No, I don't have any regrets. I'm going through life as I should, step by step. I'm very happy to be here today. I did everything I had to do with PSG, and I have no regrets. I've won everything. Thanks be to God, I'm very happy. We keep going, life doesn't stop."
Do you think you'll ever come back to PSG, as a coach or in another role?
"Why not, one day, who knows? I don't see myself as a coach in the future, at least that's not one of my goals, but you never know what tomorrow will bring."
How did it feel to close a 20-year history with PSG, especially by winning the Champions League?
"It was a very special moment. We managed to win this Champions League; it was the Holy Grail, the best moment of my career at PSG. It's a great achievement. We're all very happy that it happened like that."
You were injured for a long time. Were you afraid you wouldn't be able to come back?
"I'm a fighter, a warrior, and I have a clear head. If it had been a problem to come back, I would have stopped my career at that point. That wasn't the case despite the major injuries I suffered. Even if it took two, two-and-a-half years to come back, in my mind, I was always prepared to fight to be able to come back."
How is your return to the pitch going?
"I've played two 90-minute matches in a row. That also shows that physically, I'm feeling very well. I hope things will continue in the same vein."
Have you considered continuing your career in Ligue 1, other than with PSG?
"No, no, no! For me, it was impossible to play anywhere else in France other than PSG. That's also one of the reasons why I came to play here, because I didn't want to have to play against my training club. It would have been a big challenge and a big personal battle. I didn't want it to come to that because, emotionally, it would have done something to me.
Ousmane Dembele won the Ballon d'Or: what do you think of his victory?
"For me, it was well deserved. I'm happy because he's a friend, a PSG player and a Frenchman. So I'm very happy for him. We know Ousmane, he's a simple guy in everyday life, he has his own personality, and he's very endearing. In the world of football, we all know his qualities."
In your opinion, who could be the next to lift the Ballon d'Or in this PSG team?
"There are a lot of candidates. At PSG, everyone has the quality to win it. I'm not naming names, but it's something that's played out over a season, and everyone is capable of having a dream season. With the team that PSG have today, three-quarters of the players can win the Ballon d'Or."
Speaking of the French national team, you were world champions in 2018, but you didn't take part in the 2022 World Cup. Is 2026 a goal for you?
"Of course it is. As long as I'm a footballer, I'll have goals, even if it's been complicated for me with my long-term absence. You never know what tomorrow will bring, so you always have to believe. It's going to be very complicated, but why not?"
Are France the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup?
"I have no idea, there are some big teams and you have to have the respect to say so and know it. A World Cup is never simple. There will be all the best countries, and I hope that France can win another World Cup, even if it won't be easy, because there are a lot of contenders for the title."