-Early in the season, three goals in the first four rounds, alongside the top scorers in the table, what's going on inside you at the moment?
The new season has just kicked off, and with only four matches under my belt, I'm not indulging in too much of this. Unless I am still on the top of the scoring charts at the end of the season, then I will be happy. As for the three goals in four games, I must thank the coaching team and my teammates for their full support. As a member of the team, my performance has benefited from the assistance and trust of all of them, and we have been able to perform well in this group.
-31 years old, you've had a strong start to the season, did you put in an extraordinary amount of effort in winter and spring training?
Active players such as Benzema, Modric, Crow, etc., age, but as long as the field on and off the field of self-discipline, regular diet and rest, training hard, the state can still be maintained or even improved. Last season, the league only ended at the end of December last year, the off-season was three months long. The team gathered at the end of March for training, and during that time I insisted on practicing every day, both physically and technically. I think this is the basic duty of a professional player.
--Former Metz teammate Mane, now famous, mentioned you in a recent interview, saying he remembers working with you and honors you as an outstanding player he met as a youth player. He thinks you're one of the best ball-handlers he's ever seen! How do you feel about this?
Mane is my dear friend and teammate, we have traveled together since we were young. His praise naturally included the respect of an old friend. At that time, we were equally strong in the Metz team, and I didn't think I was in a league of my own. Now that he's joined Bayern and embarked on a new league career, I wish him the best of luck and am confident that he has the character and strength of character to excel in any new environment.
-Did you think you could have peaked like Mane, Pjanic and other old Metz players if not for the injury plague? What regrets do you have about that?
If it was just one serious injury, it might not have affected my career so much, but the recurring injuries made me wonder if I could continue for a few times. I thought with my family that it might be the end of my career, but I've made it this far by accident. Therefore, it is a great reward for me to be able to continue to play on the field, and I treasure every game and every training session.
--From winning the Silver Ball at the U14 Club Cup in France at the age of 13 and being hailed as a genius; to nearly retiring early due to injury; to returning to the National League to start all over again, and now reclaiming his former glory ...... How did this journey come about?
Through the ups and downs, I have become more appreciative of the present. I have become more at peace with myself and I am no longer trapped by gains and losses. No matter what challenges I go through, if I face them with a positive attitude, I can always learn from them and benefit from them in my future life.
--Vision for the new season
The goal for the new season is clear, i.e. to try and get to the top of the league. Personally, I would like to help the team with more goals and assists, as the tactics and positioning this year are very different from last year. Last year we focused on defense, this year we may have more room to play on the offensive side. Therefore, I will do my best for the team this season.
