Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu opened up in an interview with L’Équipe, reflecting on the pressure of playing for a top club, handling criticism, his recent suspension, and his ambitions for both Juventus and the national team. Calm and mature in his outlook, the French defender showed honesty and self-awareness in discussing a challenging period.
Pressure and Expectation
“It’s a demanding season, as is normal in big clubs,” Kalulu explained. “There are high expectations, and we’re asked to always be at our best. But that’s what we dream of since we were kids. In this profession, you have goals, and we’ll see where we stand at the end of the season.”
Handling Criticism
The Juventus man also spoke candidly about criticism from fans and social media.
“I’ve been a fan myself, so I know how criticism works,” he said. “In the moment, there’s frustration — you vent on social media and then go to sleep. Even if people criticise you personally, it shouldn’t be taken that way. I always tell myself that if I don’t want to read certain things, I shouldn’t go on social media — not even when things are going well. I don’t need anyone online to tell me whether I’ve played well or not.”
On His Suspension
Kalulu addressed the discussion surrounding his recent red card and subsequent ban.
“I turned off my phone so as not to feed it,” he admitted. “Many people spoke, but in the end the suspension stayed. Better to leave it all behind. But I don’t think that incident affected the match against Galatasaray. It might seem like we’re looking for excuses, but the truth is we just played badly.”
Development and Mindset
Looking ahead, Kalulu emphasised his commitment to continuous improvement on the pitch.
“I want to keep progressing. Only the pitch gives you legitimacy — even in the eyes of your teammates,” he said. “You have to study your opponents to push them into things they’re not used to doing. You must anticipate them two or three moves ahead, a bit like in chess. The goal is to be the best — not just to defend well.”
National Team Ambitions
Finally, the French defender shared his motivation to represent his country at the highest level.
“The national team is the pinnacle for any player — a childhood dream and a privilege,” Kalulu concluded. “I feel ready for the World Cup.”
