-With such a great start to the season, contributing 3 goals in 4 rounds, and currently tied for first in the scorer's list, how do you feel about yourself right now?
The new Chinese First Division season has only just begun and only four games have been played, so I won't be too concerned. Unless the league ends and I'm still in a high position on the scorer's list, I'll be happy. As for being able to score three goals in four games, I must thank the coaching staff and everyone on the team. As a member of the team, I've been able to play like this because of the help I've gotten from everyone and the trust everyone has put in me to be able to play in this team.
-- As a 31-year-old player, did you practice particularly hard in winter and spring training to start the league this year with such great results?
Today's players, like Benzema, Modric, Crow, they are all old, but if they can do what they should do on and off the pitch, like eating, resting and training, then they can actually keep their form and even get better and better! The league ended at the end of December last year and the break was quite long. We had almost three months of rest. The team started intensive training at the end of March. During this time, I basically had my own practice every day, both physically and ball training. I think that's the most basic thing a professional player should do.
--You stayed in Metz while your teammate Mane is now famous. He mentioned you specifically in an interview the other day. He said he remembers working with you, referring to you as a very good player he met when he was young. Mane said that you are still one of the players with the best level of ball control he has ever seen! How did you feel when you heard Mane's comments?
Mane is a good former teammate of mine and a good friend since we've been together since we were very young. I think there were some old friend compliments in there when he said that about me. The truth is that at that time we had very strong players at Metz. I don't think I was the smartest player or had the best level of ball control. As an old friend, he's now gone to a new top club (meaning Bayern), a different country's league and a different platform. And I wish him better and better. I'm sure that with his character and strength, he'll be perfectly fine even when he goes to a whole new stage!
--One question that I'm sure you've been asked over and over again in the past is if you hadn't been affected by injuries, would your career have reached the heights of past Metz teammates like Mane and Pjanic? Do you ever regret it?
I don't think it would have affected my career if I had only had one serious injury, mainly because I've had several serious injuries repeatedly. Each time I pretty much recovered and took a break when I was in great shape! There was a time when my family and I thought we probably wouldn't continue our careers. I really didn't think we would play as long as we have. So for me, continuing to play soccer is a rewarding experience, so I also cherish every game I play now, and I especially enjoy the daily training.
-Mes represented at the age of 13 winning the Silver Ball at the U14 Club Cup in France and was called a rare talent by the team newspaper; then nearly ended his career early due to injuries; then returned to the Chinese league from scratch and then rediscovered his past this season. ...... What was the journey like along the way?
After going through this kind of stormy experience, the whole person will especially cherish the present. People will be calmer, won't have too much of the mentality of suffering, just always in a relatively stable state. So I think no matter what kind of experience you have, if you face it with a positive attitude, you can gain something, and this will also be very helpful to you later in life.
--Targets for the new season
The goal for the new season is simple, we just want to get into the first tier of the league. I want to help the team with more goals and assists because this year our whole tactical play and the team's position for me is completely different from last year. Last year, we had to stand on defense. I also took on a lot of defensive duties in the midfield, and this year there may be more space for offense. So in order to achieve the team's goal this season, I hope to come up with more goals and assists!
