"Closer to the stars": A new gem in stores

The result is a behind-the-scenes discovery of a project that has forever changed the dimension of the emblematic Parisian Club and its imprint in the world of sport and beyond. From this comes a one-of-a-kind book that brings together a series of shots that are a step above traditional sports photos.

Nothing is ordinary in this book. International football icon Pelé is alongside French
author and screenwriter David Foenkinos—a loyal supporter of the club—to introduce
and unveil faces and bodies that evoke all sorts of emotions page after page. From Paris
and New York to Tokyo and Doha, all the figures who have contributed to the club’s fame
are included: Beckham, Ibrahimovic, Cavani, Neymar Jr., Messi and Mbappé.

For David Foenkinos, who narrates the book: “The project promises to be a long-term
insight. Of course, players are often photographed. At this level of fame, most of their
life becomes public. But here the project is unique because of its artistic purpose. Some
shots offer a close-up look, just like a painting. We can see the incredible details from
big pictures. We think of Presnel Kimpembe’s face when he beckons to the supporters
and shares his rage to win while we see his teammates celebrating the goal that was just
scored behind him. And how can we not think of this shot where players enter the field
in Singapore? The twilight that cuts through the scene offers an additional intensity to
its beauty. We can clearly feel that the photographer is driven by a constant quest for
the ideal lighting, like great Renaissance painters. There is inspiration from Géricault
and Rembrandt in the use of chiaroscuro. In some photos, players even nod to a form
of mythology. Julien Scussel is mindful of bodies and veins like the sculptures of the
Olympus Gods.”

Only in Paris do arts and sports appear so complementary. In just a few years, Paris SaintGermain has become an icon of contemporary culture, a club of the new generation,
which shines beyond the football field and in everyone’s imagination.

Limited to 1,000 numbered copies, this book is a must-have for all fans of the club. Illustrated
with exclusive imagery that has never been seen before, this beautifully curated volume
is handcrafted and highlights the club’s players, matches and key victories. Finished with
tip-on images placed by hand, it comes in a bright clamshell case that makes it a volume
to cherish for decades to come.

After studying political science, Julien Scussel decided to make a pivot in his career
and dedicate himself to photography. Pursuing work in portraiture, photojournalism,
fashion and advertising, he is driven by human adventures and artistically inspired
by cinema and classical painting. Before moving to Paris, he traveled the world and
often shot advertising and modeling-agency campaigns in the USA and South Africa.

His photography is intimate, accurate and elegant, enabling him to work closely with
celebrities and to collaborate with an array of artists, athletes and political figures around
the world. Scussel has been following the Paris Saint-Germain team between Paris and
Doha since 2016, immersing himself in the club’s daily life, from training sessions and
family moments to key celebrations and legendary wins.

Author, screenwriter, scenarist and musician, David Foenkinos has been at the forefront
of the French literary scene since the early 2000s. He has directed and contributed to
an array of movies, such as Jalouse (2017) and I Feel Better (2018), and is the author of
more than a dozen novels, including book-turned-movie Delicacy (2011) as well as Vers la
beauté (2018) and Deux soeurs (2019).