Exclusive: ‘I really learn a lot’ - Arnaud Kalimuendo on playing under Thierry Henry and Olympic Games possibility
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Published 10/05/2024 at 11:17 GMT+1
Arnaud Kalimuendo is one of the most exciting young strikers in France and he is just one of 10 players in Ligue 1 to hit double figures in the league this season. He also has a very good chance to be the striker who leads the line for the French men’s team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, an Olympics that will take place in his home city. Kalimuendo talks about that in an exclusive interview.
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The percentage of young children who make it to the very top level and get to play as a professional footballer is pretty low, as we all know.
But the odds of making it as a pro and then getting to play in an Olympic Games in your home city? Now that’s pretty rare.
But yet that could be a dream fulfilled for Arnaud Kalimuendo, a striker for Stade Rennais in Ligue 1.
Born in Suresnes, a suburb in western Paris, Kalimuendo has the chance to represent his nation in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, having been a part of some of the youth squads in the build-up to the tournament.
Speaking exclusively to Eurosport France’s Martin Mosnier for TNT Sports, Kalimuendo was asked about the upcoming Games.
“I won't say the most important thing,” Kalimuendo said. “But as athletes, we've all dreamt of taking part in competitions like this.
“But, today, I belong to a club and we'll see what happens. I'll respect the club's decision. As a player, it's a wonderful competition to play in, especially in Paris for someone from the suburbs. It would be fantastic to be able to play in the Olympics, but we'll see...
“At the moment, I'm really focused on Stade Rennais and what I have to do, it's taking up so much of my head... I think about it every day. After that, we'll see. Everything in its own time, but right now it's Stade Rennais that comes first.”
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Arnaud Kalimuendo of France celebrates his goal with Manu Kone during the U23 international friendly match between France U23 and USA U23 at Stade Auguste Bonal on March 25, 2024 in Sochaux Montbeliard, France. (
Image credit: Getty Images
The France men’s team for the tournament will be coached by another Paris kid and a true legend of the national team, Thierry Henry.
“I really learn a lot every day,” Kalimuendo says of the former Arsenal and Barcelona forward, “and it's a great asset to have a player, or rather a coach, like him. He was a fantastic player. I used to watch him on video on YouTube and now he gives me advice...
“I was too young to have really known him as a player in his heyday. But as a Frenchman, it's like Zinedine Zidane - we all know who these players are who have marked the history of French football. Henri, he really made an impression on me because I used to watch all your actions on YouTube.”
Kalimuendo is asked whether as a striker Henry is tougher on him and the other forwards to which he says, “No, he's demanding with everyone and we feel the same with his staff. We all have to perform at a certain level.”
He also added that he wasn’t worried about the possibility of Henry using one of his three senior slots on a more experienced striker.
“No, there's no fear. I'm just one player among many and the most important thing is the national team, the French team.
“The coach has a duty to make the right choices for the team. And we have to accept them. After that, I'm aware of my abilities and I'm not afraid of anyone.”
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Rennes' French forward #9 Arnaud Kalimuendo celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the French L1 football match between FC Nantes and Stade Rennais FC at the Stade de la BeaujoireLouis Fonteneau in Nantes, western France, on April 20, 2024
Image credit: Getty Images
And what about the Olympics as a whole? What does he think of when he thinks of the G ames?
“I think of Usain Bolt, the 100 metres, basketball and the dream team too. It makes me dream. I never saw Michael Jordan or any of his generation in person, but it would be great to be able to rub shoulders with the current crop of legends who are coming to Paris.”
Kalimuendo also had high praise for his young team-mate Desire Doue, who also could feature in Henry’s squad and has been linked to a host of big clubs across Europe.
“He's really... pffft. It's hard to describe a player like that because he has so many qualities.
“He sees everything very quickly, he's very intelligent and respectful as a young man.
“He has everything it takes to reach the very, very top level. It's up to him to build on this fine season, because football is all about repetition, repetition and repetition.
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Rennes' French forward #09 Arnaud Kalimuendo (L) celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the French L1 football match between Stade Rennais FC and Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) at the Roazhon Park stadium in Rennes, western France, on April 28, 2024.
Image credit: Getty Images
“His destiny is in his own hands, but today it's such a pleasure to see him playing and enjoying himself.”
Is he the best Kalimuendo has seen at that age?
“Frankly, I've known a lot of them. I'd put him in my top three or five. There's Warren Zaire-Emery, Lenny Yoro, Eduardo Camavinga and him in my top four, that’s for sure.”
Kalimuendo himself has been in fine fettle recently, scoring four goals in his previous three games, doing his best to help catapult Rennes up the table after a difficult first-half of the season.
He can’t quite pinpoint what has happened, but is certain that confidence plays a big role.
“I don't know how to explain it, it's something that's in me. I felt it was the right time to take on this role, given what was at stake at the end of the season. I just want to win, and I go out on the pitch with this desire to smash everything.
“I'm now able to be decisive, which is something I lacked a bit before. I'm very happy because it's helping the team, and I owe it to myself to carry on like this because there's still one match left this weekend and I'll be giving it everything I've got to try and secure a place in Europe.
“I'd go so far as to say that confidence accounts for 70% of our ability. The moment you feel confident, both individually and collectively, the moment you feel that confidence in the eyes of your team-mate, yes, that changes everything. It gives you a real boost, and that's really important.
“It's interesting, I've reached the 15-goal mark, I must have won five penalties, plus a few assists. I must have been involved in more than 20 goals in all, if you count all of them. It's my most prolific season since I turned professional, which shows how much I've improved and that hard work pays off. Even when things were going badly, I kept working and I knew that one day it would pay off.”
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