Interview: Florent Malouda says losing the 2006 FIFA World Cup final to Italy was very, very disappointing
Former Chelsea and France midfielder, Florent Malouda, has had a glorious career which has seen him playing in countries like England, Egypt, Turkey and France. But the 36-year old has now decided to make a mark in India as he will be one of the key players for Delhi Dynamos in the upcoming season of the Indian Super League. Malouda has been retained as the marquee player by the Delhi franchise and will look to take his team to the finals, eclipsing last year’s run of reaching the semi-finals.
The Delhi Dynamos’ skipper spoke to Sportskeeda in an exclusive interview about various experiences of his 16-year long career as a professional football player. Here are the excerpts:
You spent six seasons at Chelsea and were managed by different managers. But who was the best manager who improved you as a player?
I would say that all the managers improved my game. I got the biggest opportunity at Chelsea as I got in contact with top players and managers. Each one of them made me a top player. We had a total of six or seven managers during my time there.
I also really appreciate Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti as they were really close to me. But Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto Di Matteo were very special as we won the Champions League for Chelsea. I will never be thankful enough to those two for giving me the opportunity to lift that trophy. It is difficult to compare as they all have their own style and we have been successful with all of them.
What is special about Carlo Ancelotti?
He is someone who is very experienced and talented. He was a player himself and won a lot of trophies in his playing days. Then as a coach, he is very confident and also gives his players that confidence. He always trusts his players during the moments of pressure, being successful at all the teams he has managed. There is no player who has ever felt betrayed by him.
For me, it was the same as he is very relaxed. We won the double under him with the Premier League and the FA Cup. I always wish that he had stayed longer at Chelsea when I was there.
How is it like to have played alongside great players like Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, and Zinedine Zidane?
They are all great champions of the game. They are examples on and off the pitch for any player. When you get to train together with them and to get to learn from those players, you improve your game as well. It means that if you’re playing in the same team so you are also very close to their level of performance. At the same time you gain confidence that you’re reaching their level.
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How tough was it for you when your team lost the 2006 FIFA World Cup final to Italy?
It was a big shock for us because we lost due to some circumstances in the final. At the same time, you know that you must accept the fact that there will always be a winner and a loser. We were happy with our display as we played well with ten men. Penalty shootouts are very difficult and it is a big, big disappointment to lose in the shootout as I have lost the World Cup and the Champions League.
You never know when you will be back at this stage of the competition in your career so its disappointing. But at the same time, you are also proud of what you have achieved. In football, you need to bounce back after every defeat and you need to be strong. Even though we lost, I’m still proud that I played in that final.
In a team like Delhi Dynamos, lot of changes have taken place in the three seasons. Do you think these changes will work as an advantage or will it be a disadvantage?
We will only get to know the answer once we start playing in the league. Generally, it is always better to have a base in the squad but the changes might prove to be better for the new coach to build his own team. It is very difficult to have continuity in your team in the ISL. Therefore, the pre-season is very important to build a structure. Now, only the results can prove whether it was an advantage or a disadvantage.
There were reports in the media which suggested that you were wanted by Santos and other Brazilian clubs before you came to India last season. What made you choose the Indian Super League?
I have always been in the middle of rumours but I never inform anyone about what my decisions in the future will be. I have previously said that I want to play in Brazil, maybe that is why these rumours were made. I make my decisions spontaneously and do not keep them made for the future. I came here because I had met the President of the Delhi Dynamos, Prashant Agarwal, in London where I gave him my word about joining his team.
The agreement was signed two months later when I came here in India. I did have offers from other clubs but I didn’t pay any attention to them as I wanted to play in India. But yes, I am open to different choices and I would love to play in Brazil once in my life - maybe in January. But I don’t make plans like this. My focus is on Delhi at the moment. I will give my best at ISL and then look at other options.