The only thing I feel is responsibility, not power: PSG Chairman Al Khelaifi

PSG Chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi (pictured), who was named ‘the most influential person in football’ this week, says he is proud of what his club has achieved so far and said ‘there is long way to go.’

Al Khelaifi, also the Chairman of the beIN Media Group, in his interview with France Football also spoke about the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation, which is celebrating 20 years of its foundation this September. “I’m very proud of what we have achieved so far, but we are still at the beginning of this journey and there is long way to go.

This project isn’t just about a vision for a club, but also that of the whole of French football and the various communities that make it up and surround it,” said Al Khelaifi in the interview posted on www. bein.com.

“That’s why we have always tried to invest intelligently, whether we are signing players, developing future talents, renovating and building top-ofthe-range facilities like our new state of the art training centre, or investing in areas close to our hearts like women’s football, handball, judo and e-sport – and of course our strong commitment to our PSG Foundation which changes lives every day,” he added. Asked how does his influence help him outside sport,” Al Khelaifi said: “When I was growing up, I was taught to help others before you help yourself – Its part of the fabric of our society and how we are raised. I’ve already told you about the Paris SaintGermain Foundation and I’m going to insist on this point.”

“Football is about sharing emotions, an unparalleled ability to bring people together who, in other aspects of their lives, may be divided. Football also has this fantastic power to bring comfort and hope to many people who are going through difficult times. I

feel we have a great moral mission with them, and especially with children. Our Foundation, celebrating 20 years this September, has helped over 250,000 children, many of them in France but now also abroad where we have developed several projects with Action Contre la Faim in Africa. “ W e have just renewed our agreement with Secours Populaire, another Foundation partner.

And we will continue to develop the Ecoles Rouge & Bleu, providing educational support while passing on the civic values that are dear to our club. To sum up, anyone who has the ability to should always think of those less fortunate – that’s the ethos of our Foundation.

And this is why we dedicated our 2019-20 league trophy to all medical workers and the real heroes who have been fighting so courageously since the start of the health crisis,” he added in the interview. The PSG chief said he only feels a sense of responsibility, not power. “The only thing I feel is a sense of responsibility, not power. Responsibility toward our projects for the club, the fans, our city and all the Paris Saint-Germain community. Power for power’s sake - the obsessive search for the spotlight - it’s just pure vanity as we all know.

Of course, with responsibility comes scrutiny and often criticism, which I have no problem with. In the modern media world that’s the price you have to pay, but I hope that with this rating I will not get more of it,” he said.

Answering a query that who would he name as the top 5 influential people in world football, Al Khelaifi said: “I don’t want to list a top five, let alone offend those I didn’t mention, but I would mention a leader like Alexander Ceferin at UEFA who has been extremely influential during his tenure, and who has been a much needed unifying force for European and world football.” Al Khelaifi, said he is highly impressed with former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and also heaped praise on basketball i c o n Michael Jordan. “

Without hesitation, I would firstly single out Sir Alex Ferguson. Not only did he build one of the greatest teams in world football, but his presence was – and still is – incredible. Even today, when he enters a stadium, there’s a murmur through the stands – you can feel it,” he said.

“Not directly involved in football but someone whose presence and influence are still strong long after he retired is Michael Jordan – not only was he the greatest of all time on court, but he hasn’t stopped since. Having hung up his own Air Jordans, he still has got as much passion and drive as ever and even today still influences younger generations who never saw him play.”

“Outside of our football world I also have great personal admiration and respect for the IOC President Thomas Bach, who has helped transform the Olympic movement and whose modernisation program has been a valuable lesson in how to bring together and unite a very complex institution,” Al Khelaifi added.

The PSG Chairman said he was honoured to be named among Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Gianni Infantino on the podium of most influential people. “It’s a huge privilege, and surprise, to be nominated alongside such esteemed company. Cristiano Ronaldo, has a unique single-mindedness year after year, and an unmatched strength of character. He still has a desire to get better every day and he is always pushing himself to the limit.” “So too Mr Infantino, who has risen to lead one of the most important and most influential organisations in the world, one that transcends football in its size and scope,” he added.