Ligue 1 Conforama young player of the year nominee Malcom is very much Bordeaux’s star man and has scored some spectacular goals this campaign. Interview…
Two-and-a-half years after joining Les Girondins from Brazilian club Corinthians, Malcom is the player Gus Poyet’s side look to for inspiration. With nine goals, including several stunners, and six assists to his name this season, the 21-year-old has caught the eye of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Malcom told The Ligue 1 Show on beIN Sports: “It’s my dream to play for a big club. The Bordeaux president said himself I can leave but I mustn’t think about that now. I have to finish the season well because if I don’t people will say ‘ah Malcom isn’t respecting the club’, and I don’t want that. I want to finish the year well with Bordeaux and then think about what happens next.”
Malcom’s silky skills and magical left foot have caught the eye throughout Europe, but newly-crowned French champions PSG are also interested: “It’s fantastic to hear that. PSG are also a dream. They’re a huge club playing at the highest level. They play in the Champions League, and they’re Champions of France, so why not?”
“Neymar is the best in the world”
A fan of PSG’s Brazilian Neymar, Malcom insists he’d jump at the chance to team up with a player he worshipped as a boy: “He’s my idol. I grew up watching him at Santos, he embarrased opponents with nutmegs and goals. Everyone chanted Neymar, Neymar – so even though I’m not a Santos fan, I used to watch their matches to see Neymar, he was incredible. For me, he’s the best in the world.”
Last September, Malcom crossed paths with Neymar at the Parc des Princes. PSG crushed Bordeaux 6-2, but Malcom nevertheless has fond memories of the occasion: “During the game – even when we were losing 6-1 – he told me to keep going, keep playing my football. That gave me a real lift because he’s my hero.”
Then, after the final whistle, Neymar lifted Malcom’s spirits again: “He asked if my family was there and I told him they were. I asked him he he’d pose for a photo with them and he said ‘of course, come on let’s go’, and that gave me goosebumps. Having Neymar meet my family was a dream come true, he’s an example. I hope he doesn’t change and he keeps going like this.”
For the return game, last weekend, Neymar was missing due to injury, but Malcom again impressed, enhancing a budding reputation further. Malcom said: “My mum and my granddad make sure I can relax and not think about football too much. My agents will do the rest, so I’m very calm.”
>> PLAYER PROFILE: Malcom