One To Watch
Gaëtan Laborde: "I knew where the ball would be"
What is your favorite goal among those you scored in Ligue 1 McDonald’s?
Good question! The one that comes to mind first is my overhead kick with Montpellier against Strasbourg, obviously a special goal… There are goals that are more important than others because they are decisive, but the most beautiful one is that one. It is probably the most difficult as well.
What is your favourite assist out of all the ones you have given?
Perhaps the one I gave to Andy Delort, with Montpellier in Dijon. As a left-footed player, I put the ball on to my right foot, I crossed and he scores with his head. That summed up my connection with Andy.
What is your favourite move on the pitch?
Shooting, because it allows you to score! And otherwise, a nutmeg: that always makes you happy!
"There was a great connection with Andy Delort"
Who is the teammate you preferred to play with?
Andy Delort, of course. Even if there are other teammates with whom it went very well, he is the one with whom I had the greatest connection. If there is one name to mention, it is him. We had this connection because we did not hesitate to put ourselves at the service of the other, we had complementary movements... With a glance, I knew where he was going to put the ball and vice versa. There is no explanation. There was a great feeling, it was natural between us. And we got on very well off the pitch of course.
So he is your favourite teammate in the sense of the one you got on best with in private?
I got on well and I get on well with a lot of teammates. With Marcin Bułka or Teddy Boulhendi for example. But it is certain that the one with whom I had the best relationship both on and off the pitch is Andy.
Who is your best friend in football?
Théo Pellenard, with whom I trained in Bordeaux and who now plays for Auxerre. I have always kept strong ties with him and we see each other regularly. There is also Loïs Diony who is from Mont-de-Marsan like me, who came up with Stade Montois like me, so we have a special bond.
“I loved Ronaldo and Thierry Henry”
Who is your favourite player?
When I was younger, I loved strikers like Ronaldo, Thierry Henry… Players who have marked the history of football. Today, I love Kylian Mbappé, like many French people!
And in your style, do you have a role model?
No, I don't look at anyone in particular. I try to draw inspiration from all the strikers I can see who manage to be consistent every season.
Of all the jerseys you've worn in your career, which one is your favorite?
I've been lucky to have a lot of beautiful jerseys but I would say the Nice home jersey from this season, with gold for the club's 120th anniversary!
"I don't often ask for jerseys for myself"
Among the jerseys you've exchanged, what is your favorite?
I don't always exchange my jersey but, for the emotional side, I'll mention the jerseys I got from Andy Delort and Florent Mollet. I don't often ask for jerseys for myself. When I do, it's to give them to my brothers. I had to give them some from PSG but when I play and I lose, I don't necessarily want to ask for a jersey!
What is your favorite moment on the day of a match?
Coming onto the pitch. We prepare all day for the match so we can't wait for anything else: to get on the pitch and be able to play!
What do you like best about the week's training?
All the games with everyone, especially when I win! There are a lot of fun moments during the week, where we compete with our teammates, it's really fun.
What is your favorite activity off the pitch?
It varues quite a bit but I watch a lot of series, I often play on the PlayStation too. I'm a homebody. My current series? I'm watching Prison Break again!
I would happily go have a drink with Der Zakarian or Génésio
Which coach did you prefer to work with?
It always went well with my different coaches, with Michel Der Zakarian and with Bruno Génésio in Rennes. We have kept strong ties. I would happily go have a drink with one or the other, or with both, mind you!
Who is your favourite opponent, the one that suits you best?
Maybe Monaco, because I often score against them. But there is no real rule because it can be against teams that I don't like playing against that I score the most.
What is your favourite number?
24, which I started with at Red Star. I sometimes wore 10 too but I have a slight preference for 24. I chose it by chance at the beginning and then I got attached to it!
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