Luis Enrique for the First Time Comments on Zabarniy’s Integration into PSG and the Broader Sport Values
The head coach of Paris Saint-Germain, Luis Enrique, for the first time openly expressed his opinion regarding the situation surrounding Ukrainian central defender Illia Zabarniy, who recently joined the team and now plays alongside Russian goalkeeper Matvei Saponov.
In his statement, delivered in a distinctly French style, Enrique emphasized that sport, especially football, plays a crucial role in building bridges between people regardless of political differences or historical conflicts.
He mentioned that sport operates outside political constraints and aims to foster unity rather than division.
“I am speaking in French, although I could respond in Spanish, but I will stick to French,” he joked.Recall that on August 12, PSG officially announced the transfer of the 22-year-old Ukrainian defender from the English club Bournemouth, where Zabarniy had been playing recently.
The French club paid a record €63 million for the transfer, excluding bonuses, and signed a contract until 2030.
It was also reported that the Ukrainian player’s condition for the transfer was his desire to play without the Russian goalkeeper Matvei Saponov, who was seen as one of the conditions for the move.Since debuting in France, Zabarniy quickly attracted fans’ attention, with many calling on the club management to reconsider the squad composition and to part ways with the Russian player.
Last season, Saponov played 17 matches for PSG.
The topic of removing the Russian from the team sparked active discussions among supporters and football experts.
Zabarniy’s debut marked an important milestone in his career, attracting global attention and highlighting the intersection of sports, politics, and international values in today’s football landscape.