On Monday, Iliman Ndiaye was officially presented to the press as a new player for Olympique de Marseille. The Senegalese striker took the opportunity to talk about his first steps under his new colors, his attachment to OM, which he considers to be his club of heart, and his ambitions for this season. Excerpts from his press conference.
Iliman Ndiaye and his desire to join Olympique de Marseille
"I'm very proud of my choice.I don't play soccer for money. Soccer is me, I don't know much about anything else. Marseille is one of the best clubs in the world for me. I didn't want to go anywhere else. The welcome I've received from the fans and the messages I've received have made me want to come even more.
The welcome he received as soon as he arrived at the airport, even before signing on the dotted line
"I still haven't digested it. I got a crazy welcome at the airport. The messages I got were crazy. It's a dream to be welcomed like that at your beloved club. I've been dreaming of my debut at the Velodrome since I was a kid.
His duet with Ismaïla Sarr
"We've already played together with Sarr, and we have a good relationship.In the national team, I've already played in several positions. I can play in any attacking position. But yes, as he said, we're going to do something big. After that, OM isn't about one player, it's about the whole team."
His positioning and style of play " Marcelino can put me wherever he wants, I can play in any attacking position (...) I give my all on the pitch, I work hard. I'm a dribbler, I want to give everything for the shirt, fight for my partners and do everything to win games."
His first match against Bayer Leverkusen
"I had a few cramps against Bayer Leverkusen, I was a bit tired but it's no big deal, it happens. I think we have a very good attack. I hadn't had much time to train. I've already seen all the players play, how they want to play, and I think there were some good things and good connections with them on the pitch. We've been able to work harder this week in training." His ambition with OM
"We play at OM to win games. We prepare to win them (...) Of course I'm thinking about winning individual titles. OM is watched the world over. Playing for OM can help me win individual honors, but I'm thinking first and foremost about the team right now."
