Elisa De Almeida: "Extending was an obvious choice"

Congratulations on your extension, Elisa! How do you feel signing this contract?

"Joy! For me, it was a childhood dream to play for this club, to wear this shirt, to enter the Parc des Princes. I've been doing it for three years now, and I still want to do it for the next three years. Paris Saint-Germain has a place in my heart. I was born here, so for me it was an obvious choice. I couldn't see myself wearing any other shirt than that of Paris Saint-Germain."

You've learnt a lot over the last three years! What do you remember?

"A lot of things. I think I've developed as a player, but also as a woman. Thanks to the help of my team-mates and the various staff I've met over the last three years. There has been a change in status over the last few years, and honestly, if next year I can keep that status, I will! I'll be giving everything for this club and everything for my team-mates, so I hope things continue in that way. I've really got my whole life here, so I'd like to stay here as long as possible."

We can also see the club continuing to grow, and this very active transfer window is proof of that!

"I think it shows the club's ambition. I think that when you hear what Paris Saint-Germain have to say, you know where they want to go. And I think that when you see the signings like Griedge Mbock last week, who is a big name, a French international... I think it shows PSG's ambition. Now it's up to us to play our part!"

So what are your objectives with the club now that you've signed for another three years?

"Of course, I want to continue to progress, continue to make my mark and continue to be the leader I've started to become over the last few years. With the younger players too, I think it's also my role now to support them, because I've been there and it's true that it's not always easy when you're young to join a professional group, where you have to deal with pressure. It's up to us to make them feel comfortable, because I think they belong with us."

It's good timing as there's the pre-season training camp in Australia coming up. Wouldn't that be the best time to integrate the new players?

"Absolutely. This period of the season is important because that's when everything is created, that's when the team is born. We have to create a bond between everyone. We have to welcome the new players, but also the new staff. So it's also up to us to acclimatise to them and get our bearings so that we can get the season off to the best possible start."

Finally, do you have any words for the Paris fans now that you've extended your contract?

"I just want to thank you for your support and encourage you to keep coming to watch us. It has to be said that the fans are also one of the reasons why I stayed, because I'm very attached to the fans, I'm a fan of this club. And it's true that having supportive fans public means a lot to me,I'm going to try and give my all for them over the next three years."