His words are rare, but when he does speak, it is not generally to stir things up. After four years spent at PSG, during which he certainly did not bring the crowds to their feet, but where he at least won the respect of the supporters for his seriousness and his impeccable attitude, Danilo Pereira joined the club this summer. Al-Ittihad, where Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté play in particular. A choice that he does not regret, but that he could have avoided if PSG had not been so greedy. In an interview given to Parisianthe Portuguese international (77 caps, 2 goals) has indeed returned to the bleak circumstances of his forced departure. He first explains that he was held back by PSG, who allegedly refused several attractive offers.
“I had other opportunities. But they were not possible because Paris refused many offers. There were exchanges with FC Porto, Atlético de Madrid. I had touches in Italy, in Germany. But these transfers were blocked for financial reasons. The club asked for a lot of money.he explains. “As soon as the 2023-2024 season ended, I had the feeling that something strange was happening… Luis Campos then came to see me to tell me that I was no longer part of the plans. It was the choice of the coach, with whom I did not discuss.” For a player who still counted during his four years in Paris (he played 157 matches for PSG and played in a Champions League final), the ex-Parisian perhaps did not make his departure a celebration, but he didn’t imagine him to be so bitter either. A lack of recognition, he deplores.
Management gets what it deserves
Because if he says he understands the club’s choice to focus on other profiles, Danilo admits to having been hurt by the modus operandi, without mentioning any names: “I didn’t want to continue at a club where they didn’t count on me. When they told me: you don’t count, you have to look for another club, it was OK. This is a situation that exists in all clubs. On the other hand, it was hard while we negotiated with other teams. The problem was there. They didn’t make my departure easy at all. That’s what hurt me, because I really have affection for Paris. I wanted to continue my career there. » Moreover, he was never considered one of the supporters’ heads to cut, quite the contrary, since he was considered a leader of the locker room, one of those to whom we listen with respect.
It should be noted that during this interview, Danilo never wished to take on the posture of victim with regard to his fate reserved by Luis Enrique. He also considers the Spaniard’s profile to be the most suitable to lead this team. Internally, however, this is perhaps less the case: “It wasn’t easy because I didn’t expect the club to leave me out of the group. That was the most painful feeling. I don’t think I deserved this treatment. It was very hard. If I have the feeling of having been recognized for my true value? By the supporters, yes. Internally, I don’t think so at all. I am happy with the work I did at PSG. I am happy with the recognition that the Parisians have given me. But internally, overall, we underestimated this work. The people at the club didn’t give much value to what I achieved. Sometimes saying a few words is important.” The message got through.
