Personality

Fiona

We met at Club Méd in 2008. He was on holidays while I was a seasonal worker at that time. At first he was supposed to stay a fortnight before to leave somewhere else. How big was my surprise to see him back a week after he left. I didn’t know he was a football player. By the end of my contract he would come and see me each time he could. Eventually, he asked me to join him to Lille. Yohan is generous and a nice person. I have no influence regarding decisions he makes about his career. It’s not my part to interfere. I try to stay as objective as I can when it’s about judging his performances, but I aim at being a support for him.
Throughout his career, the double coupe de France (FA cup equivalent) - Championnat de Ligue 1 in 2011 is the strongest memory I have. Whereas he had just won the “Coupe de France”, I noticed that Yohan wasn’t completely relieved. I knew he was focused on the championship which represented his ultimate ambition. The deliverance finally came one week later. I felt so happy for him. He truly deserved what he had been working for. I am really proud of Yohan’s evolution because he is a hard worker. He is always soul-searching and focused on getting better and better.

Geoffray (his brother)

We were close during our childhood. There would be some arguments but we would always hang around together whether we were at school or not. On Wednesdays we knew exactly when our mother would get back so we could tide up everything to make her believe we were quiet. However she would notice by looking at the garden we hadn’t been that calm. Although we broke some vases, she hadn’t to complain about us.
Yohan and I both wanted to become professional player. He was better, but hit much more than I did. Today he is a good advisor to me. I can benefit from his experience not only about the matches but also about how to deal with the pressure. Our way of playing is similar. We both like short and long pass.
I am really proud of my brother because he hasn’t change since he has become a professional player. He has never put me aside and hasn’t changed. He often send me shirts. I appreciated most the Park Ji-Sung shirt Yohan got when Man U went to play against Lille in 2005. I didn’t ask and he spontaneously offered me the shirt after the match.
My best memory about Yohan, is from the time our father was a coach in Tourcoing. We used to warm goalkeepers up every Sundays. A simple memory, but really precious to me because it is time we were sharing together.