Salah Assad: "I will support PSG against Inter"

Interviews 31 May 2025 at 05:37

Imed Ben Amara

News Editor

This Saturday will see the final of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan in Munich. Botola sat down with Algerian football legend Salah Assad, who once wore the colors of the Parisian club.

What is Salah Assad up to these days?

I'm no longer really involved in the world of football. I remain honorary president of RC Kouba, where I offer my advice. I watch the youngsters train, but I'm no longer at an age where I can fully invest myself in the club.

The Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan takes place on Saturday, May 31. You played for Paris—do you have fond memories of your time there?

I spent a season at Paris Saint-Germain, arriving while injured. I played about ten matches, coming back from a long way after knee surgery. There were good players, and it was an ambitious team under Borelli's presidency, who wanted to compete at the top both nationally and in Europe.

Before that, you were at Mulhouse

That's right, I spent a season at Mulhouse before moving to PSG. The team had just been promoted at the end of the season and we found ourselves in Division 2. So I decided to change clubs.

At Paris Saint-Germain, you reunited with Dahleb. Did he help you settle in?

There was never any issue—he was my teammate in the national team. When I arrived at Paris Saint-Germain, I was 24, experienced, had played at the Olympics, the African Games, and a World Cup. Adapting was easy.

Did your time there leave you with any regrets?

Like any spell at a club, there are good and bad moments—it's the nature of football. For me, it was a turning point in my career. It's important for a footballer to be at a club aiming for silverware and willing to do what it takes. That was my goal.

Do you still follow PSG? Will you support them in the final?

Of course I'll support them. When you've played for a club, it leaves a mark. I follow Paris Saint-Germain's matches, even more so in recent seasons since the Qataris came in and raised the bar for the club. I watch every game. You can't remain indifferent to a club you've played for.

You're known for your "ghoraf" (a technical move), just as Ronaldinho is for the "elastico." Both of you played for PSG...

The ghoraf and the elastico are similar technical moves. Ronaldinho could do it both standing still and on the run. He did it just as well as I did.

Interview by Badys Boufaroua