Edinson Cavani: 'Always give my best'

Edinson, Paris started the season in predatory mood. How did you prepare for the season?
"Each time we begin a season, it's the same for us. We know the objectives; they're clear to us. We don't need to worry about what other teams are doing, we just need to think about ourselves and our strengths - and then give the maximum. We were all very motivated right form the start of the season."

Well Paris looked unbeatable at the beginning of the campaign, as did you personally… How do you explain this meteoric start?
"I think that our pre-season preparations went well and the team got a few reinforcements. We were in great physical shape from the word go, but these are changeable factors. You always have top make do with injuries and form fluctuations. We started very strongly and that was great. Maintaining consistency is by far the toughest thing to achieve. But I think we have a team capable of doing it."

Your free-kick in Marseille was a pretty special moment this season...
"Le Classico is always a special match. Everyone wants to play in that kind of match, one that is very important to us and the fans. It's a clash of cities, of colours, of cultures… I love those moments and those matches. The Classicos are made to be won, and that night, I didn't want to lose. We felt that we could equalise, even at the last moment, and that's what we did."

Over the course of the season, Paris scored a lot of goals. And you drew closer to the PSG goal record before smashing it…
"I know that it took a little while to get over the hump and beat the record. We have a team that creates a lot of chances, and everyone is capable of scoring and setting others up to score. People had to wait a little bit, but the fans and the players knew I was playing with all my energy, and that's very important for them. When I broke the record, I felt a lot of joy coming from my teammates, and that's a feeling I will hold in my heart for the rest of my life. Above all I was happy to see the collective joy - the supporters were part of it too - that was unleashed by that goal against Montpellier."

Adrien Rabiot, who provided the assist for your goal, told us that he was just happy to be a part of history!
"I felt it. Even when he was congratulating me, I felt it. He was happy to be part of the move that made history at the club. He linked up with Neymar and then played me in… It was a really awesome thing for everyone. It's a moment that will remain etched in a lot of people's memories."

You continued your habit of scoring in finals. How do you keep on doing it?
"They're special matches. Every match is tough, but finals are even more so. There is a big communion between the players and the supporters, and that's what gives me a lot of drive and energy. For me, the motivation doesn't change. I always want to give my best, score and win. But when you have the chance to win a title for the fans, it galvanises you and can make the extra bit of effort and outdo yourself. Scoring in a final is always a pretty amazing thing."