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Here are some excerpts from our interview with Sandy Baltimore. The entirety of this 4-page interview can be found in Onze Mondial magazine n°338, available on newsstands and on our eshop since February 22.
“I evolved for two years in this position. That’s why the girls called me Aurier. Apparently I looked like him. »
Sandy BaltimoreCredit Photo – Icon Sport
Can you tell regarding your childhood?
I grew up in Ermont, in the 95. I have a little brother and a little sister. My father worked at the airport and my mother worked in the kitchen of a high school. I started football in my city. At first, I was not in a club. I only played at school with the boys. At the age of 10, the boys said to me: “But why don’t you join a club? “. At first, my father didn’t really agree because it was to play with the boys. And he didn’t want, he wanted me to play only with girls. So it was quite complicated. Eventually he agreed to sign me up with the boys in my town club. And everything went well for me.
Have you tried other sports?
Yes. For a year, I stopped playing football at my father’s request. And I decided to take up boxing. I must have been 11 or 12 years old. I liked it because I have always liked boxing, but I quickly wanted to take up football once more.
Why was your father once morest football like that?
Because I was only with boys. He did not like. During the tournaments, I was the only girl. By saying that, he was trying to protect me, he was a little afraid for me. Basically, my father loves football. He even played football in Guadeloupe. Well, today he is happy for me.
How was your arrival at PSG?
I played in U14 in my club. The women’s PSG youth coach, Pierre-Yves Bodineau, came to one of my matches. And a little later, he contacted my parents to tell them that I was going to join the PSG national U19s. I was 15 years old. My mother told me regarding it. I then participated in training with them, I was the youngest. Everything went well, I was well integrated and there, my father was happy because I was only with girls (laughs).
You were nicknamed Serge Aurier, why?
Initially, I played as a left winger. When I went down the left side, everyone started calling me Serge Aurier. I remember, it was during a tournament, a player was missing and the coach put me in this position that I didn’t know at all. After that, Pierre-Yves told me that I was going to play left back. I spent two years in this position. That’s why the girls called me Aurier. Apparently I looked like him.
You quickly joined the pro group, how did the adaptation go?
Everything was quick for me. I made sure to adapt quickly. I was young, it was not easy. There were a lot of old ones. The level was raised, the intensity important. It was different compared to the U19s.
You signed a young professional contract. So you were able to make a living from football. How did you handle that?
I signed my contract in 2018. That’s where it all started. I found out regarding match bonuses etc. But you know, I’ve always played soccer for fun. Money has always been secondary. Afterwards, being able to live off your passion is a pleasure. I realize that not everyone is lucky enough to be in this situation. (She cuts) Football is not easy. There are still a lot of sacrifices to be made.
What is your vision on the PSG project?
I am under contract until 2022. I am very involved in the project. We have a very good team. The objective is to bring back trophies: the Champions League and the championship in particular. We want to pass in front of Lyon. PSG is a big club. It’s a dream for me to be here. It is a pride to play in such a club. I don’t quite know how to explain it…
You beat OL in the league. Isn’t this the year or never for you?
I would not say “the year or never”. In the last match once morest OL, we put in all the ingredients we needed to win. Lyon, it’s still a big team, there are still a lot of games. You have to stay focused and win all the matches.
Did you quit school?
Two years ago, I quit primary school. This year, I resumed to pass my baccalaureate pro management – administration. My mother didn’t want me to stop. But she saw that I was very invested in my football. I know I’m not going to play football all my life. It’s going to end quickly and then you never know what can happen, I’m thinking of injuries in particular. I decided to take over on my own. My mother is behind me, she supports me in what I do.
When you were little, you may have already been called a “tomboy”. How did you live it?
(To smile). How to say ? (She thinks) I didn’t take it too badly. In the sense that, yes it’s true, I was a tomboy before. I only hung out with boys. I only played with them. When people said “tomboy” to me, it didn’t necessarily affect me. I used it as a strength. And the boys knew I was a girl anyway. When I was on the field, they considered me a boy compared to the way I played. Before I was a tomboy, but I knew that as I grew up, I was going to change.
Looking back, what would you say to little Sandy?
I would tell her that she has evolved, that she has grown. I have matured.
“I am composed, I remain zen, I take pleasure in everything I do”
Sandy BaltimoreCredit Photo – Icon Sport
What kind of player do you define yourself as?
I’m a player who likes percussion, I like to dribble, I like having the ball at my feet, a bit like Neymar and Messi (laughs). I really appreciate these two players, their way of dribbling.
What position do you prefer to play?
I can play all over the hall. But I prefer to play left winger. Lateral, it’s not really my thing. I don’t like to defend too much (laughs). It’s not very pleasant to run towards your goal. I feel good in front to help my team score. Be careful, I’m not saying that I don’t like to play sideways. I just prefer winger.
Who is Sandy Baltimore?
A quiet girl, quite reserved. I like to laugh, I smile often. I like going out with my friends to shop, eat or see my family. Now I have my apartment near the training center, I live alone. But I often go back and forth to 95 to see my family. When training is in the morning, I avoid going there because otherwise it takes me too long. It’s tiring.
How does it feel to be presented as a promising player?
It’s good. But when people tell me that… (She cuts off) In fact, I’m in another world. I really don’t know how to explain it. I do not calculate what can be said regarding me. I don’t put pressure on myself. I never say to myself: “I have to do this or this”. Afterwards, of course, I have goals. It’s normal but without stress, I’m calm, I stay zen, I take pleasure in everything I do.
What are your goals ?
Already win as many trophies as possible with PSG. God willing, to be regularly called up with the France A team. I’m in no hurry. I have to continue to progress with my club and you need to have stats for that. Gradually, it will come. I’m also aiming for the title of best hope of the season. To get all that, you have to work.
Have you ever had failures?
Two years ago, I was nominated for the title of best hope of the season. I had not been elected. That doesn’t mean I gave up. It was one of my goals, I did not achieve it. But I didn’t take it as a failure. I did not cry.
How did you experience your arrival in the France team?
Frankly, it’s another world. I admit that it’s not like with young people. There are only old ones. But I was well received. The intensity is not the same. Nor is the technical quality. Everything goes much faster. There are still small wastes, but it’s not like with young people.
If you hadn’t been a footballer, what would you have worked in?
I do not know at all. I can’t see myself doing anything else. No profession suits me. I’m serious when I tell you that. Ever since I was little, I have loved football too much. At school, when I was told: “What job do you want to do later? I answered: “footballer”. And then everyone was laughing. The teachers told me: “But Sandy, it’s not a job, you’re not going to succeed”. Even if I’m happy with my success, it doesn’t mean that I’m going to tell them: “Here, you see, what you told me is wrong. Today, it’s my job.” I might have said to you: “Work in a store”. But I did an internship, I didn’t like it at all. I was greeting people in the store, I didn’t like it. I have already done an internship in offices too. And the same, I didn’t appreciate the fact of sitting in front of the computer.
If you were a journalist, what question would you ask Sandy?
If I was a journalist, I wouldn’t ask Sandy questions because she’s too shy. There, it’s okay, because I’m on the phone. But otherwise, I’m really shy. I have no secrets to reveal to you (laughs).
If you had to end the interview with one sentence that represents you, what would it be?
“Never give up and believe in your dreams”. This sentence comes to mind in relation to what the teachers told me: “Footballer, it’s not a job, you’re never going to succeed”. If I had listened to them, I would have given up and I wouldn’t be here today.
If you had to rate yourself for this interview, how much would you pay?
5 out of 10. Could have done better. I had trouble expressing myself at times.
to summarize
Confident and propelled to the front of the stage, Sandy Baltimore (PSG) is living a daydream. Interview with the new D1 Arkema attraction.
