'You have to be intelligent in this situation'

Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, Paris Saint-Germain’s athletes have been in lockdown. The Women’s team is no exception and the players have been doing their best to stay fit in the trying times.

“It's true that it's not easy, but the moment it's ok. I'm trying to stay busy, doing different things every day I can work, or do some sport, or like today, do some housework! I have a program to follow and today I have to do some weights. The most important thing is to respect the rules during this confinement,” said Kadi on a videocall with PSG.fr.

Denmark international Nadia Nadim headed back to her homeland to be near her family: “I flew back three days ago. Just before they shut down the airports and everything. I've been actually really fine, you know. Of course, I missed the football I miss PSG. I miss my teammates. But thinking about all the situation that's going on in the world, I'm happy to be here with my family. And personally, I'm doing great. I'm healthy and in shape. I live in the countryside. And we have a lot of space but not a lot of people here. So I'll be working in the garden and chopping wood. You know, I do a lot of like homemade weights. You know, I carry stuff on my back. I do a lot of running. I train with my ball. You know, I do stuff that I don't really need fancy machines. I don't need the gym to be able to keep in shape. I just use whatever I have around me. You know, as you said, as a striker, you have to you have to maintain your shape. We have Pierre who is our strengthening coach. Every day he sends me the program. I do his program, but I also do some of my own stuff. I want to do a bit extra. You know, as I said, it's I know it’s a bad time, but I think it's also a good time to try and improve some of your weaknesses.”

But the hardest thing for Kadi and Nadia is being away from their teammates. Kadi says, “I like to stay in contact with my teammates thanks to the challenges on Instagram.” The Denmark international is on Whatsapp: “I check on how they they're doing, how their country is, what's going on. And, you know, our physio, our coaches and Laure, of course. So, yeah, we've tried to keep in touch. And nowadays we're lucky, it's so easy! You can just call or text or snap. I understand that sets a hard time, but we have to be smart about it because it's not a little thing. You know, you have to imagine why we do this, you know, and it's to protect the weak. There ones that are in danger.”

The Paris No.10 is also studying medicine at the same time as playing professional football and gives us an update on the situation in her homeland. “Every country is trying to take all the measures necessary to stop this. Denmark was one of the first countries to shut everything down. Schools, everything closed. It's kind of similar to France, you know. My oldest sister is a doctor and my two younger sisters just are nurses. So they're working every day. I want to go as well. I have a lot of doctor friends, you know. And also, if the situation is going to get worse than it is right now and they're going to be needing doctors. You know, I'm going to volunteer, but I also know that I have to be smart about the situation.”

Both players also have important messages for their fans. “I'd like to remind everyone to respect the rules and be careful. To only go outside if you really, really need to and respect the rules. I'd really like to pay tribute to them. They are the ones in the front line and I really want to give them all my support!” declared Diani.

Her teammate echoed those sentiments: “it is a hard situation, but I think if you want to keep in shape, you can find so many ways to do that. And also, keep up your morale. Don't be upset. You know, it's temporary. It's not going to last forever. And I think we're gonna get on the other side, you know? So keep that in mind. It's not for your entire life, it's two weeks and you can do it. So stay strong and stay at home.”