The Rising Star of the FCA and its way to the French national team

When Chrislain Matsima comes to the Press Conference area of ​​the WWK-Arena on Wednesday, FC Augsburg’s professional has not yet completed his treatment. He later has to go to the physiotherapist. He has slight problems with his adductors. That is why he only trained individually on Wednesday. But the central defender immediately eliminates all concerns; No, his commitment on Sunday (3:30 p.m.) in the home game against Frankfurt was not in danger.

DFL chests Chrislain Matsima for the second time for the rookie of the month in the Bundesliga

The character of the 22-year-old shows that he takes time for the questions. Matsima appears politely, reserved, but quite confident. He can be that too. He is considered one of the hottest defensive shares in the Bundesliga. Matsima symbolizes the impressive second half of the FCA. For the second time (after January) he was by the DFL elected to the « rookie of the month ». In March he also prevailed against well -known competition such as Michael Olise (FC Bayern Munich).

Chrislain Matsima has contract with the FCA until 2029

After a bumpy start, he developed into one of the best central defenders in the league. FCA trainer Jess Thorup first put on loan from AS Monaco on the bench. But the 22-year-old got along better from game to game in the Bundesliga. The FCA has long since drawn the purchase option of four million euros and signed Matsima by 2029.

« I got used to the level of the league. It was a new country, a new league, a new team, new stadiums for me, » he says, adding: « I’m gone for the first time France. You have to look, watch and learn from everyone. From your colleagues, from the coaching stuff, from the opponents. Now I want to give back trust in myself. That’s why I do my best in every training session and in every game.  »

But why does a team play in the last game before the Winter break 1: 5 at Holstein Kiel went under, so far a second half of the champions League level? « The most important difference is our modified mindset in our defensive work. We give everything, whether in the game or in training, to defend. And then we now have the necessary luck from time to time. That’s how football is, » he explains.

In the end of the season, the Frenchman wants to continue the run with his team with roots in the Republic of Congo: « We still have five games and want to get as many points as possible. We just want to do a good job, play zero, have fun. In the end we will see what it is enough for. »

Matsima consciously avoids the word Europa League

The word Europa League If, like his colleagues, he consciously does not use: « We are ambitious, but we don’t want to put ourselves so much pressure. After the first half of the season, nobody would have expected to be like this now. We just want to enjoy the moment. Every game has its own story and that’s why we can only focus on every single game. »

With the AS Monaco in the Europa League

However, he knows what it feels like to play in the Europa League. He was allowed to compete five times for the AS Monaco. « These were natural special games for me with Monaco. I was young and you play against the best players in the world. I hope I might play with the FCA. »

But he also had to pay a lot of tuition. « There is always great pressure in a club like Monaco. There were many change of coaches and I also made mistakes. » Instead of despairing, Matsima pulled the right lessons from it and chose the way through the Bundesliga. It was worth it for him.

The market value of the FCA interior defender is 17 million euros

He stands on the observation lists of some top clubs, Its market value is high at 17 million euros. However, he does not want to deal with a change. « I don’t know whether there are inquiries. I haven’t talked to my consultant about it yet. I don’t want to. »

He can imagine another season at the FCA

He feels very comfortable on and next to the square in Augsburg. He appreciates this and also classified it correctly. The FCA should not only serve as a springboard: « It is my first season, I still have to work a lot and learn a lot to improve. I don’t want to make the next step too fast. That’s why I can imagine playing at the FCA next season. I have no reason to change. It’s all good here in Augsburg. »

Via the FCA to the French national team

Matsima radiates an unusual ripeness and clarity for a 22-year-old. The captain of the French U21 also has a long -term plan for his way to the French national team, which in his view he can also implement with good performance at the FCA: « Everyone in France knows the Bundesliga, many French players play here. If the team plays well, I also play well. » But he also says: « I think a good season may not be enough. But if I play constantly well for two years, the coach may say: Now it is time. I have no contact with the national coach yet. But I’m sure he knows my name. »

Didier Deschamps knows that. And the national team’s scouts will also look closely on Sunday. Because in addition to Matsima at the FCA at Eintracht Frankfurt with Niels Nkunkou, Jean-Matteo Bahoya, Hugo Ekitiké and Elye Wahi there are four French candidates for the national team in the squad.