Kist: 'Great to be in Paris!'
More than 40 years after his last match for Paris Saint-Germain, the Dutch striker Kees Kist (21 matches/4 goals for the Netherlands) was the club's special guest at the Parc des Princes for the match against Le Havre.
Kees, you played for Paris in tyhe 1982-83 season (47 matches, 18 goals), winning the Coupe de France. How does it feel to be back at the Parc des Princes?
"I'm very happy to be here and I'd like to thank the club for this invitation. The Parc des Princes has changed a lot in 40 years, the pitch is magnificent and it's a pleasure to see great players and such an incredible atmosphere supporting Paris Saint-Germain."
You were a born goal scorer and won the European Golden Boot in 1979… was that a highlight of your career?
"Yes, I scored 34 goals and two years earlier I had already finished in the top three with 29 goals for AZ Alkmaar. Funnily enough, it was in Paris that I lifted the trophy, at a ceremony at the Lido."
You enjoyed a great career at AZ, a lesser known club than Ajax Amsterdam or PSV Eindhoven…
"We had an excellent team at the end of the 1970s, and we won the league and cup double in 1981, not to mention two other domestic cups (1978 and 1982). I love the domestic cup competitions, and I went on to win it with Paris in the 1982-1983 season."
What do you think of this current Paris Saint-Germain?
"First of all, I'd like to stress that there have always been some very good players at Paris Saint-Germain. I played with Dominique Bathenay, Michel N'Gom, Toko, Luis Fernandez, Osvaldo Ardiles and Safet Susic, and we already had a great team back then. Dutch fans know all about Paris Saint-Germain and now consider it one of the best clubs in Europe, especially after Kylian Mbappé's performance with the French national team on 13 October, and his brace against the netherlands (2-1 victory for Les Bleus). He's one of the best players in the world right now, he's 'incredible' (in French)!"
Do you have a word for the fans who haven't forgotten you?
"Every time I played for Paris and wore the club shirt, I always gave it my all. They were there for me and never stopped encouraging me, so I haven't forgotten them! And I'm very happy to be back in Paris, 40 years later."
