Eliesse Ben Seghir: “My goal in Strasbourg was a deliverance”
He has experienced great emotions in recent days. Scorer of the only goal in Strasbourg which allowed AS Monaco to pick up three points (0-1), Eliesse Ben Seghir has now just been called up by Morocco for the first time. It’s a point of great pride that he mentioned in particular at a press conference, two days before a visit from Lorient to the Stade Louis-II (Sunday, 3 p.m.).🎙️
On returning from injury
It’s true that I’ve found it slow going in recent months, with my two injuries in the first part of the season. It was very hard to watch my colleagues play without being able to help them win the matches. But now I’m back, so I’m happy.
The most difficult thing now is to find continuity, because you have to perform at a high level all the time. My injury was the first difficulty I went through. But I did it thanks to the support of the Club and the staff.
His goal at La Meinau
I admit that my goal in Strasbourg was like a deliverance for me! Once again, I’m here to help the team, and this goal gave us the three points, so that’s great. At the time, I saw Maghnes and I knew where he is going to put it for me, so I didn’t ask myself any questions.
Eliesse Ben Seghir vous souhaite une bonne semaine 👊🔙#MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/lNC4BXARzV
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) March 11, 2024
His current mood
At my age, I obviously want to play every match, to contribute to the team by scoring and making assists. I feel good physically since my return to competition, but I need to continue to accumulate playing time to feel even better. Once again, I was injured for a long time, so for now I’m trying to bring a sense of freshness when I come back.
His relationship with Maghnes Akliouche
It’s great to be able to find my friends from the Academy in the first team. This shows that AS Monaco is working very well at youth level, and forming lots of big talents. Maghnes? We both get along very well, both on and off the pitch.
We are almost the same age and we play the same style of football. Especially since we also share the same position, since we operate in the same area. It’s like we can find ourselves with our eyes closed! It’s just a joy to play with players like him.
𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲 🤝 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗵𝗻𝗲𝘀
Une connexion #MadeInLaDiagonale ✨ pic.twitter.com/XhiGotC73h
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) March 10, 2024
His call-up by Morocco
I am lucky enough to be able to represent two great footballing nations: France and Morocco. My choice was therefore tough, even if it was carefully considered. I made the decision a month ago, when I was coming back from injury. It’s also a deliverance for me. I made this choice based on my roots, both my parents being Moroccan.
I accept this choice, it is a personal decision. It’s bold, but why wait when you know what you want? Playing with the senior side straight away also played a role. When Morocco calls you, it’s hard to refuse.
نرحب جميعا باللاعب إلياس بن صغير مع أسود الأطلس 🦁
🚨 Ladies and gentlemen, 𝐥𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 Eliesse Ben Seghir with our National Team 🇲🇦#DimaMaghrib pic.twitter.com/pEjYXlNM2O
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) March 13, 2024
Matches against teams lower down the table
We are a young team, so we will always make mistakes, even if over time we try to erase them, progress and do as little as possible. But AS Monaco is a very big club, and we want to play in the Champions League next season, and for that we have to perform every weekend. For me, victory is obligatory in every match, if we want to achieve our objectives.
About the competition for places
It’s a form of pressure to have so many high quality players in my position. You have to prove yourself every day and try to earn your place in every training session, to be able to start in a match. But I like it, and it makes me progress.
On Youssouf Fofana
Youssouf? We both have a very good relationship, he rooms with me a lot. After the match in Strasbourg and my goal, he said to me: “That’s it, finally!”. We laugh together, I’m the youngest in the squad so he teases me a lot.
