With the departure of longtime team captain Thiago Silva, Paris Saint-Germain had a decision to make on who would take the vacant leadership role. But for manager Thomas Tuchel, this call was not a difficult one to make, as he awarded Brazilian defender Marquinhos with the team captain role.
Marquinhos had been the team’s vice-captain for quite some time. The veteran defender is now following in the footsteps of his Brazilian counterpart Silva in wearing the captain’s armband for the club.
Former PSG defender Christophe Jallet was a former team captain himself, and he is also among the former players voicing their full support to Marquinhos in his new role. Jallet spoke to Le Parisien about why Marquinhos is suited to take on such a leadership position in a team filled with veteran players.
“No one deserves it more than Marquinhos,” Jallet said. “The armband does not belong to him by right because he was promised it, but it fits in with the logic of things. Marqui has the perfect profile for the job. He is legitimate in his performance, is a driving force for the group. The best captain is the one who imposes respect without having to say a word.”
Many speculated that possibly Neymar would have been called upon to become PSG’s next team captain, but Jallet did not think that the forward needed the armband.
“It wouldn’t be doing him any favors to give him the armband,” Jallet said. “And then he has enough weight in the dressing room, he doesn’t need the armband to federate.”
Marquinhos’ new run as the team captain for PSG got off on the right track on Wednesday as the club defeated Metz by a 1-0 final score. Marquinhos provided for a strong showing in the match with three interceptions recorded. He showed just why Tuchel made the right choice in electing him as the team’s newest captain.
Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.
