Jérémy Iafrate, first as a pro with Nîmes Olympique: “I will remember it all my life”

A hectic but successful first season in the National and with the pros for Iafrate against Châteauroux. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

National/3rd day. Discovering the surprise guest Jérémy Iafrate before Valenciennes – Nîmes, Friday August 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the North.

If the OAC had kept him, he would certainly play in N3 this season. Surprisingly, Alès did not want to keep him, and here is Jérémy Iafrate starting with Nîmes in the National. “Football goes very fast”, confides the central defender, a midfielder trained at Poulx (from 5 to 15 years old) then at NO (from U16 to U19, recruited by Grégory Meilhac) before Yannick Dumas, his reserve coach at the Crocos, moved him down a notch.

“I miss playing in the middle a bit, but I'm lucky to play at this level in this position, I'm not going to complain!”, appreciates the 25-year-old Gardois (1.80m, 73kg) with the name of Italian origin. Pronounce Iafrate or Iafraté, your choice!

If you had been told a month and a half ago that you would be a starter in the National on August 23, would you have believed it ?

No, not at all! At the end of June-beginning of July, I was thinking: what am I going to do?? The OAC (two seasons, from 2022 to 2024, on an apprenticeship contract then on a fixed-term contract) did not extend my contract, which surprised me because they had always trusted me there. I had two good years in N2, but I had no contact in June. I don't have an agent, just a friend who advises me. I considered going to Grau-du-Roi in R1, because I didn't want to go far to be in N3.

And one day, Mickaël Gas (the new coach of the Nîmes reserve team) called me. He told me that he needed me in R1 and that if it went well, there would be a possibility of moving up to first. But with an amateur license, without a salary. I talked about it with my parents and my relatives, and I signed. Then everything went faster than expected. Training with the pros, being on the bench (1st matchday against Orléans), I didn't expect it and it was already crazy for me. So, being a starter against Châteauroux, in Nîmes, me who is a local guy… It's a bit of a dream!

How did you go from 5th center back (behind Mendy, Diouf, Lamgahez who left for Le Mans and Paviot) to 2nd in the crocodile hierarchy ?

By doing good preparation, good friendly matches. By listening to the instructions and applying them. I felt that I wasn't left behind, that there was room. Above all, I tried to have fun and not worry, without setting myself goals, because I didn't want to be disappointed if I didn't achieve them. When I saw that I was a starter during the training sessions before Châteauroux, I didn't really tell my friends, because until the day of the match, in the locker room, I wasn't sure…

For your baptism at the Antonins, you went through all the emotions. What will remain ?

First, being a starter and playing in my city, in front of my family and friends. Then, my ear, split open after a knee from Diallo. It was unintentional, he apologized several times. I had 3 stitches in the front at half-time, then 4 in the back at Carémeau after the match. I was a little dazed, I felt a little weird, I preferred to leave my place at the start of the 2nd half. And then there was my pass, which led to our goal. For sure, I will remember it all my life. First match, I rack my brains (smile), they bandaged me up… it's good, it's in the DNA of Nîmes and the club!

Jérémy Iafrate was hit in the ear in a clash with Castelroussin Diallo just before half-time. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

Besides, you are a bit of a symbol of this first victory, being the only holder born in Nîmes…

I love bullfights, I loved it as a child when I heard Carmen when the players entered the Costières, I have always lived in Poulx… Since I was 15, I have been friends with Lucas (Dias) or Marowane (Khalid). I recognize myself in the values ​​of Nîmes.

Last question, about your look: you used to have short hair…

Yes, I've been growing it out for a year. I've never had it this long, but it's still not long enough to tie it up. Let's say I'm in transition.

In transition, like between the amateur world and the pro world ?

There you go, that's it (laughs) !

Behind the scenes of the Crocos

Valenciennes. The Crocos will leave this Thursday at midday for Valenciennes, by train. Still without Amara or Doukansy, in the recovery phase and who should join collective training next Monday. But with the injured Châteauroux, Beneddine and Iafrate, operational.

Transfer window. If the loan of a young professional striker was still considered a short while ago, it no longer seems to be on the agenda. On the other hand, Badu, seen on trial in July, is back at the Bastide, and should sign a contract (amateur). Otherwise, this Wednesday, NO had no offers for Labonne, Delpech, Doukansy or Laurens, who have an exit voucher. The transfer window closes Friday 30 in the evening.

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