Aurélien Tchouaméni used the international break to speak openly with L’Équipe, acknowledging that the current match calendar is pushing players to their physical limits. He admitted that the workload has become excessive: “We play a lot, more and more. Our bodies are being tested. The facts are clear: there are more injuries, mainly because of the number of matches.” He also revealed he was already feeling discomfort before the game against Liverpool. “In the final minutes, I felt that one more sprint could cause a tear.” Not being able to join France bothered him deeply: “For me, the national team is always important.”

Tchouaméni reflected on his growing influence within the French dressing room and the strong chemistry in the squad. “Roles evolve, but what I like most is that we are all friends. In the dressing room, we can tell each other the truth.” He also shared how France is viewed at Valdebebas: “The guys tell me, ‘Your team is incredible.’” Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, he expressed confidence: “We have everything we need to be ready.” On coach Didier Deschamps, he was clear: “We want to give him that final gift. And he has already won enough.”

Turning to Real Madrid, the midfielder underlined Xabi Alonso’s immediate impact. “From day one, we had a video meeting. He showed me where I could improve.” He reiterated his preferred position: “If I had to choose, I'd say defensive midfielder. In a double pivot, you depend more on your teammate.” He even recalled Carlo Ancelotti’s advice: “He told me a defensive midfielder should move within the area marked by the lines of the penalty box.” He highlighted the satisfaction he gets from his long diagonal passes: “That left-foot switch of play is one of the moves I enjoy most. When it comes out clean, it feels great.” As for his ambitions at the club, he was direct: “If you play for Real Madrid, it’s because you perform. I’ve won early on, but I want more La Liga titles and more Champions Leagues.”

He also remembered the day the Bernabéu booed him, a moment that pushed him to respond with character. “I received the ball and heard the whistles. I had two options: give up or play my game.” He chose to fight back: “Through good play, the whistles disappeared.” At halftime, he felt supported by the dressing room: “They told me, ‘You’ve got character, huh?’” He summed up his mindset simply: “You must stay balanced. If you play a great game, move on. If you play badly, move on too.”

Tchouaméni closed the interview by discussing the player he aspires to become and the mentality he draws from other elite athletes. “I’ll be the player I want to be on the last day of my career. You’re always improving.” He admires American athletes for their mentality and pursuit of excellence. He also defended the idea of having interests beyond football. “People used to think that if you did something outside football, you weren’t focused. That’s not true. It’s becoming normal.” His message is clear: ambition, responsibility, and a belief that his best is still ahead.

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