You would almost have to dust off the PSG archives to find traces of a Presnel Kimpembe match. Sidelined from the field since February 2023 and his rupture of the right Achilles tendon, the 2018 world champion had obviously not made this injury a celebration, but he certainly did not imagine it as bitter either. Between relapses and surgical operations, Presko’ had to go out of his way not to sink psychologically. But that’s it, after having had to overcome 1000 obstacles during his convalescence, the 29-year-old defender says he is back.
“I feel very good, I have good sensations, I have returned to group training but it has been a long year. What if I thought about quitting football? But no, never”he assured in an interview with Channel Football Club this Sunday. But he confirms having experienced the ordeal: “I had a ruptured Achilles tendon, it’s the worst injury, worse than the Crusaders. At that moment, we question everything a little, and even if people see me as dead, I know that I will come back. Never in my life could I have thought of going a year and a half, or even 2 years without playing, and being so patient, waiting every day at training without knowing when I was going to come back”he admitted, specifying that he had kept in daily contact with the squad to maintain a professional player’s routine.
He sees himself playing again in Paris
Obviously, after almost two years of absence, there are doubts about his ability to regain his best level and find a place in Luis Enrique’s group, where Pacho has been able to gain depth in recent weeks. As a reminder, Christophe Galtier was still the Parisian coach during Kimpembe’s last match, against OM, on February 26, 2023, which completely reshuffles the cards in the eyes of the Asturian today. But Kimpembe is not afraid, he who remains linked to PSG until 2026 from now on.
“In all the big teams, there is competition, I knew it when I arrived, I still know it today, and tomorrow too. It’s not a problem, I started with the biggest: Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, David Luiz, Zoumana Camara, Abdou Diallo… I know the competition. A love story with Paris? Of course, and it’s mutual. When you come from Paris, grow up there and train to be a professional… There aren’t many (…) When it’s time, you’ll discover a new Presnel, always ready to defend the colors of the club, 100%, with the same courage and the same anger. Parisian supporters are just waiting to see.
