‘But in the Club, It Was Like in Brazil’ – PSG Legend Discusses His First Impressions When He Made the Move to Paris

As Paris Saint-Germain celebrates their 50th anniversary, there’s plenty of alumni of the capital club discussing their time in Paris. 

Raí sits in tenth place when it comes to PSG’s all-time leading goal scorers with 72. The 55-year-old discussed what it was like heading to Les Parisiens from São Paulo FC, and those close to him thought that heading to Paris would provide a more relaxed environment for the Brazil international. 

However, those people were wrong, as Raí would state during an interview with L’Equipe (via Canal Supporters). 

Although the club didn’t have the stardom of players they do know, the crowd’s passion has remained the same. For Raí, being at the Parc reminded him of playing a match in Brazil. 

“When I left Sao Paulo, my friends told me: ‘Ah, there it will be quieter, in Paris, football is not the most important. But in the club, it was like in Brazil!” Raí said. “From the first crisis, the first difficult moments, I understood that in Paris, everything had more impact. Today, they say that Paris is magic. It is true. But it’s a little crazy, too.”

The Parc des Prince’s atmosphere and when the Collectif Ultras Paris travel during the UEFA Champions League sometimes shocks people who don’t follow the Ligue 1 champions closely. Often the ultras take over an opponent’s stadium. 

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG TalkingThe 1970, and 24th & Parc.

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