“Things can happen in the meantime”, Montpellier's Joris Chotard will perhaps play his last match with MHSC against PSG

Olympic vice-champion Joris Chotard may play his last match with Montpellier on Friday in Paris.

Two weeks ago, you played the Olympic final at the Parc des Princes. How do you feel before returning with Montpellier ?

It has nothing to do with it. We played the final with a whole stadium behind us. With all the French people behind France. When the medals were awarded, it was crazy. This weekend, it will be the Parisians against the Montpellier team, for a match that is complicated as usual. It's up to us to prepare well and get something back there.

Also read: PODCASTS. Paris 2024 Olympics: Joris Chotard, candidate for the French team for the Olympic Games

What does this silver medal taste like fifteen days after the defeat against Spain ?

We came for the gold, we were disappointed after the final. When you play a final, you never remember the losers. But the next day's festivities helped a lot to digest the defeat. We then realized that we had experienced something great and beautiful.

What image do you keep of this adventure ?

The group in the broad sense, not just the players. It's the first time, in selection, that there were so many emotions and bonds between the players. We stretched out meals, we played boules. We lived together. Without that, would we have resisted Argentina or overthrown Egypt??

The first time I felt like I felt like all of France was behind us

Do you feel like you've entered a new world given the media coverage??

It was the first time I felt like all of France was behind us. The French team wanted to win the Euro, but they didn't succeed. We were the representative of France, we felt that the country wanted this medal. Our role, as the coach said, was to get the French people back behind football, at the Olympics at least. For us, that requires managing the event.

What do you remember about Thierry Henry's management ?

There was a time for everything. And he has this charisma. After the match against Argentina, we celebrated the qualification among ourselves in the locker room. We knew very well that he would not be happy with the end of the match (major incidents, Editor's note). When he entered the locker room, there was no more word. Not a whisper. He wanted it to be classy in the victory.

With the Espoirs, you played less. With this Olympic team, you were a starter throughout the tournament. A surprise?

At the start of the preparation, I didn't feel legitimate, I was coming from a small club, I've never played in Europe. I wasn't sure I'd be among the 18 players selected for the tournament. I told myself that if I was among the reserves, Montpellier would call me back. I did everything I could to be there. I then had the impression of being an actor in this competition, of having a real responsibility. Emotions are heightened tenfold when you're on the field.

Have you acquired a new status ?

I don't know. I'm still the same, I still have the same state of mind. I've added things to what I knew how to do. I'm calmer, I think faster. When you play in big competitions, with great players, you can't afford to do almost or just what you need. We feel the pressure, we want to show that we have the level.

I want to play in Europe

Isn't this the end of a cycle for you in Montpellier ?

We'll see in the next ten days, but this could mark the end of a cycle. There are requests. I want to play in Europe, I want to go as high as possible, I want to test my skills to the maximum.

Is this the right time for you??

There is no right or wrong time, the important thing is the choice. Some people leave for reasons other than football. I don't want to do anything, I don't want to leave to earn 50,000 euros more without playing, I want to make a carefully considered choice.

Read also: “The Olympics would be a chance”, “I grew up in this club” : from Paris 2024 to its future, confidences from the MHSC environment Joris Chotard

Has the initial idea been developing for about a year ?

The first three or four years, I followed the transfer window of the other players in the club, not my own (smile). My goal was to be a confirmed player in Montpellier, in Ligue 1, to play a key role there. Last summer, I didn't have the idea of ​​leaving, but they presented me with plans. This winter, we weren't doing well in the standings, there was no question of “giving up” on the club.

Does the financial context put pressure on your shoulders ?

Not necessarily. I don't manage the club's finances, I'm not in the accounts. I'm not the only bankable player. It's not because they need the money from my transfer that I'm going to leave anywhere, or anyhow. It will always be my choice.

Are you living your last days in Montpellier ?

There's a chance. I'm playing this weekend in Paris. Things can happen in the meantime. I live day by day, according to what's put on the table.

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