1BSPORTS 1B Sports June 15th News Former French national team goalkeeper Hugo Lori will represent Los Angeles FC in the Club World Cup. Before the game, he took over the exclusive interview with The Team News, telling his new football career, the unexpected joy of participating in large-scale events at the age of 38, and the magic of the Rose Bowl Stadium. Paris Saint-Germain v Atletico Madrid is played at this venue.
Lorry originally thought he would watch the Club World Cup as an audience in Los Angeles, but his Los Angeles FC confirmed that Mexico’s Leon was excluded through the Sports Arbitration Court in early May, and qualified for the play-offs and defeated the Americas 2-1 at home on May 31 to successfully advance.
I thought I could not play in the Club World Cup?
Lorry: (laughs) I really can’t guess this time, but after so many years of career and choosing a different path to retirement, I’m so happy to be on this adventure with these players. While leaving Europe means changing the environment, I joined a club with ambitious ambitions in Central and North America and the Caribbean, a club that is respected here. Although we are not yet at the level of European teams, we are working well and are constantly improving.
You will participate in the first Club World Cup in the country of the team you play for.
Lorry: Interestingly, I am already the goalkeeper with the most competitions in the World Cup. And my first childhood football memory was the World Cup held in the United States in 1994. It’s a historic moment now and it’s a cool moment. Although we need to recognize the reality: compared to other participating teams, we are just a small club.
Paris Saint-Germain will play at the Rose Bowl Stadium not far from your home, while you are playing in another city.
Lorry: Don’t be greedy (laugh). We have advanced and won the play-off in a remarkable atmosphere, a game against the very popular team America. It’s not easy, but it’s great. I would have hoped to play in Los Angeles and welcome everyone, but not the best of both worlds. Our first game will be against Chelsea in Atlanta and that stadium is really great.
How do the club and its surrounding areas view this Club World Cup?
Lorry: When we entered the play-offs, it felt like a historic game because we were a young club established in 2018Year. This is important to us in sports, business and image.
Paris Saint-Germain will play its first two games at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. What is the football atmosphere here?
Lorry: Basketball, baseball and hockey are more popular here, but Los Angeles also has a football community through Los Angeles Galaxy and Los Angeles FC. Objectively speaking, the fans of Los Angeles FC are great, we call them “3252”, which is their number of seats in the stands behind the goal, which is very lively, joyful and colorful. At the same time, you can see many celebrities before each game, including entertainment, film and sports. There was a Los Angeles derby last year in the Rose Bowl, with 70,000 spectators on site. We won (2-1), and my dad and grandmother were on the scene, so that was great.
For me, when I mention the Rose Bowl, I think of the 1994 World Cup final of Brazil vs. Italy, and I know that this is also where the French team became the Olympic champion in 1984. Paris Saint-Germain players can feel this on Sunday, as the stadium has many photos of major moments hanging in the corridors, one of which is the Olympic final. This is a stadium full of historical sense, a bit transcendent to the times: you will feel like you don’t know which era you play football. Moreover, you can also see mountain views behind the stadium…
Will Monday’s match against Chelsea make you feel like you are back in your youth?
Lorry: Make me younger? I have no idea. Daily life will bring me back to reality (laughs). But we all want to perform well and do our best. As for the past history of Tottenham goalkeeper against Chelsea, that is already a thing of the past. What I saw was Chelsea having a great season and they were a young and strong team. But there will always be questions. I’ve been through this: the long European season is over, and finally the national team game, and then it’s about to start over again. This is unprecedented for all top players. We cannot predict their physical and mental states. Will there be some reservations in the group stage? We must be clear that the economic benefits of this event are huge for the club.
Girou scored in the last game, but his adaptation still seemed a bit difficult.
Lorry: He has always maintained the spirit of helping the team. There was a time when he was unlucky (scoring five goals in 33 appearances since August) and had to compromise on playing time, but he accepted it all, even if it was only 25 minutes. Now I think he is in good shape. He is like me, and is happy to participate in such events at this stage and take on the responsibility of coaching other players. Facing Chelsea again is certainly special for him.
You have been in Los Angeles for 18 months. Have you ever regretted it?
Lorry: No, there is no at all. Time in France and TottenhamAfter that, I have turned to a new life. This is a well-thought-out decision. I’m still focusing on European football and France, but I know it’s the right choice. I’ve always been eager to do this, and this is the way I want to experience football today. I don’t want to be like it used to be. I try to stay competitive, but also have more time for myself and my family, and this family experience is great.
Did the January fires and recent riots complicate life in Los Angeles?
Lorry: Fire is a natural phenomenon, and the place where the fire caught is not far from my home on the mountain. Recent news is another matter. Social tensions exist around the world. The difference is that many of our fans are Latino, and they are affected by the U.S. government measures. So we are all very sensitive to this.
Another World Cup will be held in one year after the Club World Cup. Where will you be in June and July 2026?
Lorry: To be honest, I don’t know if I’ll be on the court. I haven’t decided yet. There may be a discussion with the club this summer, but deep down, I don’t have the answer yet. I feel good now, but I am very realistic and by December I will be 39 years old. My contract expires at the end of this year, but I have another option. You have to think about everything, because it is also a life choice. Currently, I’m thinking about this.