‘I’m among the best’ – William Saliba backs his quality while admitting he’s ‘not a superstar like Kylian Mbappe or Ousmane Dembele’
William Saliba has firmly cemented his place as a key figure in the defensive setups of both Arsenal and the French national team. Despite the recognition he enjoys as one of the Premier League’s top performers, the 25-year-old centre-back remains humble about his fame, acknowledging the clear difference between his defensive role and the global spotlight enjoyed by his attacking teammates.
The journey to elite status
Saliba’s career trajectory has been impressive since returning to north London following multiple loan stints in Ligue 1. Now a regular starter under Mikel Arteta, the Frenchman has developed a commanding confidence that mirrors his physical prowess. Although his list of honours currently includes two Community Shields, he remains determined to add major trophies to his name. His self-belief remains unshaken as he continues to build his career at the top level.
“Trophies are what make people remember you,” Saliba shared in an interview with GQ. “Football is a team sport. I’m still missing the big titles, and once I’ve got those, it’ll be even better. I believe I am one of the best defenders in the world.”
Saliba also revealed that Arteta has played a crucial role in shaping his mentality, encouraging him to become the kind of player opponents fear when they see his name on the team sheet.
Staying grounded among superstars
Despite his reputation as a top-tier defender, Saliba remains acutely aware of the pecking order of fame within the French national side. Growing up in the same Paris suburb of Bondy as Kylian Mbappe, he understands the difference between the quiet discipline of a defender and the dazzling flair of attacking stars who grab the headlines.
He openly acknowledged that while he may not possess the same level of stardom as his offensive teammates, his contributions on the field remain of the highest quality.
“God decided I’d be a centre-back, and I’m very happy with that,” he said. “When you’re a kid, you tend to watch the strikers more – the ones who score, who make the decisive passes; they’re the ones who excite you most. If I’d been able to, I’d have been a striker and scored 30 goals a season. I’m not a star like Mbappé or Dembélé, but in my position I’m one of the best.”
Leadership within the French squad
Within the star-studded Les Bleus dressing room, Saliba views himself as a leader through his actions rather than his words. Unlike more vocal figures such as Mike Maignan or Kylian Mbappe, the Arsenal defender prefers to lead through defensive organisation and consistent performances. Taking inspiration from former France captain Raphael Varane, Saliba’s approach to leadership centres on composure and reliability.
“It’s clear that I’m not someone who’s going to speak up in the locker room like Maignan or Mbappé,” he admitted. “But as a defender, I operate on the principle that you have to talk a lot to your teammates on the pitch, because you see everything. So I try to do that. And then play well and win my duels. That’s how you make your mark on a team.”
World Cup goals and unfinished business
Looking ahead to the upcoming World Cup, Saliba is eager to make a bigger impact after being used sparingly during the 2022 tournament in Qatar, where he played just 27 minutes. This time, he sees it as a chance to truly showcase his abilities on the global stage. The painful memory of France’s defeat to Argentina in the 2022 final continues to drive him, with Saliba keen to face the South American champions again for redemption.
When discussing France’s prospects, Saliba named Argentina, Spain, Brazil, England, and Portugal as the main threats to their title ambitions. “Argentina. When a team beats you the way they beat us, you want to play them again. You want revenge,” he said.
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