Nice Premium: We are here in Monaco. This is a special place for you. What does it inspire in you? Nostalgia? Pleasure? Rest…?
David Trezeguet: On a professional level, Monaco reminds me of my beginnings in the French championship, the early steps that marked my professional career (goals, championship victories, national team selection…). It’s here that I started making a name for myself. My family lives in Monaco as well, and whenever I have a day or two free, I come here to spend time with them with great pleasure.
NP: How did the young David from the training center enjoy Monegasque life? Did he go out a lot? Did he take walks, or did he stay focused, thinking about the goals he would achieve in his career?
DT: I’m not the type to go out every weekend. I prefer going to restaurants or spending time with my family. When the opportunity arose, we would go for a drink with the other young players in the team.
NP: Besides those who are in the French team, do you see your partners from the training center?
We somewhat lost touch with the other young players. I try to keep informed about where they’re playing, their careers, etc., but some of them haven’t continued in football. It must be said that I didn’t spend much time in the training center; I lived with my family (unlike the others who lived in the stadium structures), then I quickly moved on to CFA and then the professionals.
NP: What did the young David think when he arrived on the Côte d’Azur?
DT: That it was like in the movies. It was very different from Argentina. But I was here to play football, so the rest was just a bonus.
NP: We mentioned the young David, now let’s talk about Mr. Trezeguet, currently a co-top scorer in Serie A, Juventus is second; are you satisfied with this start of the season?
DT: We are more than satisfied. Second in the championship, I’m also the top scorer alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Striker for Inter Milan); everything is going very well. We have a good team and are physically fit. I genuinely believe we can achieve something good this year.
NP: Why didn’t you leave Juventus after its relegation to Serie B last year?
DT: The club counted on me to return to Serie A. It’s true that it was a very difficult year, but today we are proud to have overcome this experience, and I can assure you that we are more than confident for this season.
NP: What kind of relationship do you have with your new coach Claudio Ranieri? What differences are there with Didier Deschamps’ methods?
DT: I maintain a very good relationship with the coach; we talk a lot. At the beginning of the season, we discussed the goals for this year, and he made me understand that he relied heavily on me. He is a very good coach who works a lot during the week and adapts to each match. Regarding Didier, he got us back into Serie A. He is a very professional person with whom we had a very intense preparation for the more physical matches, those of Serie B.
NP: Do you think you are well-equipped to challenge for the title this season? What is Juve’s main asset compared to the other contenders?
DT: We have all our chances this season, and we believe in ourselves a lot. The group is very united and has a remarkable “grinta.” The fact that we are not playing Champions League or cup matches gives us a great physical advantage. It’s a very tough championship that spans a long period, we’ll see in a few months…
NP: Who is your favorite for the Scudetto?
DT: Juventus, of course… However, Roma is playing very well at the start of the season, Inter is very effective. AC Milan remains a great club, and they will also be contenders for the Scudetto. But if you absolutely want a favorite from me, I’d say I have a slight preference for Roma.
NP: Are you aiming for the Champions League qualifying spots?
DT: We’ll see in a few months, it’s still too early to tell. However, we are working to be among the top.
NP: Euro 2008 is approaching, you’ll be turning 30 in a few days, how do you envision the rest of your career?
DT: I don’t think too much about that. For now, I’m focused on the championship and Juventus; I extended my contract this summer for a few more years. I feel good here, I have the full trust of the club and the tifosi, so I have a few years ahead of me here in Turin.
NP: Is a return to L1 possible?
DT: For now, I’m under contract with Juventus, and I believe I will be for a few more years. My story with the club is far from over!
NP: Regarding L1, do you follow Monaco’s results? What do you think of their poor start to the season with this series of defeats?
DT: I follow the French championship and Monaco’s results. ASM has a good team; I believe they will quickly overcome this bad patch. They have the team to compete with the top clubs in the league.
NP: We are a media read by many Nice supporters; if I say “OGC Nice” and “Stade du Ray,” what does that evoke for you?
DT: The derbies with Monaco… What strikes me most about OGC Nice are its supporters: loyal to the club, very passionate, and proud of their colors. They remind me a bit of the Italian tifosi, who live football as a passion.
Flash Interview
The club you dreamed of as a child?
River Plate (Argentina).
Your idol?
Maradona.
The country where you would like to live after football?
France.
The league where you wouldn’t want to play?
None.
The coach with whom you got along the least?
Your guess…
The title you are most proud of?
The World Cup in 1998.
Your prediction for the Ballon d’Or this year?
Kaka (AC Milan).
Your greatest passion after football?
Sports in general: Tennis, Basketball, F1. And music.
What would you change in your career?
Nothing, I’ve had very good experiences, and I absolutely regret nothing.
Name a player at Inter, Roma, and AC Milan?
Inter: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Roma: Francesco Totti, Milan: Alessandro Nesta.
A player you would like to play with?
Ronaldinho.
A choice response or both
Jacquet or Lemerre?
Both, they brought me the greatest world titles.
Turin or Monaco?
Turin for the professional side and Monaco for the personal side.
Maradona or Zidane?
Both. Maradona is my idol. Zidane is a fascinating player with whom I had the chance to play.
Real or Barça?
Real Madrid, even though FC Barcelona’s attack is really impressive.
Right or Left?
Politics = no opinion, otherwise right-footed.
L’Equipe or France Football?
L’Equipe.
Del Piero or Iaquinta?
Both.
Inter or Milan?
Both. They are great clubs.
