Max-Alain Gradel: « Football is a question of healthy living »

Passing through Benin with the Ivorian national football team as part of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Max-Alain Gradel us (Africa Foot United) gave an interview in which he returned to his state of form, where he knows a second youth on the side of Turkey. In this interview, he gives us the secret of this return to form.

On Sunday, November 13, 2021, the Elephants beat Mozambique 3-0 on behalf of the 5th day of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Africa. Returned to form after a desert crossing enamelled by injuries in Toulouse, Max-Alain Gradel is one of the Ivorian scorers at the General Mathieu Kérékou stadium. He is the author of the opener of the Ivorians in the 3rd minute of play. Coming out of this clear victory, the former Toulouse player initially projected himself on the match against Cameroon in Yaoundé, which is the final of the group.

“We played a match today (Saturday, November 13, 2021) as it should. The goal was already to win, which was done with the fashion. Against Cameroon, we are calm, we will do everything to qualify ”., hammered the native of Abidjan.

Playing today at Sivasspor in Turkey, Max-Alain Gradel has experienced enormous difficulties during his last two seasons at Toulouse FC. Long injured, some warned of round leather have already put him into early retirement. But since his arrival in Turkey, he has found a second youth. He rediscovered the joy of touching football. A rediscovered form of which he gives us the secret.

“Often in Africa, we tend to quickly kill the player. When an African player is in his thirties, we tend to say that he is old, when not. Age is just a number. Everything is in the preparation, in the recovery and in the hygiene of life. A footballer who is 38 years old even, if he has a healthy lifestyle, he can play and do wonders. There is the case of Cristiano Ronaldo, and many other players. Football is a question of healthy living. Age is just a number ”.

At 33, is he already considering retirement? The 2015 African champion responds

“As long as I feel capable of contributing to my country and to my club, I will do my best. After that, it won’t be forever. I’m going to have to say stop at one point or another. The time will come and I will not be able to. That’s life and others have also been there. I won’t be the first either ”., he explained to conclude the interview.