14 September 2007, by Lorna Danion

Pauleta admits frustration at substitute role

Striker hopes to leave lasting legacy at PSG

Pedro Pauleta has admitted he is growing increasingly frustrated at the bit-part role he is currently playing at Paris Saint-Germain, and suggested that he is being left out for non-footballing reasons.

The veteran striker, who finished top goalscorer in Ligue 1 last season, has been reduced to a substitute under manager Paul Le Guen, and played just ten minutes of the team’s last match, a 1-1 draw against arch rivals Marseille.

“I know my worth,” he told L’Equipe. “I finished as the league’s top goalscorer last year. I didn’t lose everything in two months.

“The coach makes decisions and of course I respect them. I will do everything I can to earn a place, but I have the right to think certain things. If I am not playing, it is not because of my performances.”

Positive legacy

As he continues what appears increasingly likely to be his last season as a professional footballer, Pauleta admits to becoming frustrated by critics in the media, but hopes to leave a positive legacy at the Parc Des Princes.

“I know that I am older now, so it’s normal, I am not twenty years old. Critics are part of life in football. The truth is in the statistics. Last season was difficult, for me also, but I was happy to finish top goalscorer.

“There is what they say about me, and then there are the figures. And when criticisms do not correspond to reality, this hurts me, this irritates me. When they say that the dressing room is against me or that there are stories with me, it is wrong.

“When people talk about me, usually they underline my professional side. That pleases me. I hope that they will keep the same image of me here at PSG.

“This last year will be different, I will bring less to the team. I will not finish top goalscorer this year, since I will play less. I accept that but I am behind the team.”