Born south of Paris, the origin of Cédric Bakambu (April 11, 1991, Vitry-sur-Seine, France) It comes from the heart of Africa. It was the Democratic Republic of the Congo where his parents gave birth to his two older brothers before leaving for this suburb of the metropolitan area of the capital of l’Hexagone. A lover of exotic experiences, as his career reveals, the forward trained at Sochaux, where he alternated with the lower categories of the French team, in which he coincided with attackers of the stature of Griezmann or Lacazette, went through elite European locker rooms. Based on horseback riding, he played in Champions League, Europa League and Conference League matches before landing in the Real Betis. Settled in the city of Seville since January of this year, a serious injury to the rectus femoris muscle of his right leg forced him to suddenly stop his career. In the middle of the league break, the attacker attends to Sports STADIUM to openly debate about a cripplement that has made it difficult for him to reunite with goal.
-How are you at Betis?
– I’m good. Little by little I am recovering from my injury. I also have good teammates in the locker room, so that makes me very happy. And the club is a club, the truth is, very familiar and for me that is very important. We have good fans too, so being here at Betis for me is a good thing, I am happy and very happy.
– Do you like Seville?
– Yes, I like the city, I like Seville, I like the club above all.
-Who do you live with here in Seville?
– Here I am with my family, with my wife and my four children. Yes, I am always with them. For me it is important to be close to my family and my children above all.
– He has been in teams such as Villarreal, Olympique de Marseille or Galatasaray, among others. What is special about Betis?
– The city, life is very good here. The city, the club, the fans, the people within the club are very important. We have good people here within the club and that helps the new players a lot and I am fine here.
– Speaks a lot about the Betis fans. What impresses you most about them?
– Do you know why? Because I didn’t know there were so many people behind Betis, you know? I didn’t know that Betis had such a big fan base, I didn’t know that before arriving in Spain. So that’s why I want to say that I always like to have these fans here at this club.
– You are coming off a major injury these past few months, how are you feeling physically?
– I’m fine, but the truth is that it is the first time in my career that I have had an injury like this. So I am also learning at the recovery level, at the work level and that’s it, we have to keep working and good things will come. I am calm.
– Have you suffered during the recovery process?
– Yes, because I thought I would return to my maximum level in a couple of weeks, but there is a difference between what I want and reality. So you have to be patient, but I am working a lot with the coaching and medical staff and I am continuing on the right path.
-How do you notice that difference on the playing field?
– I don’t know, on a physical level sometimes you want to do something, but your body isn’t going to give you the mobility you want and then it’s going to be difficult for you to get back to your level. You have to do more things than before, you have to work more than before and that’s why I tell you that I’m learning too. But it’s okay, now I feel better every week, every day, so you have to keep going and never give up.
– One of the most outstanding characteristics is its explosiveness. Is it something that is missing now?
– I’ll always have that, you know? But now with the issue of the injury… When you want, I don’t know, I’ll give you an example, accelerate or go hard, I’m going to do it, but I’m going to think before doing things. That gives you, I don’t know, I don’t know what we can call that, a little bit of depression, of fear, but I’m going to get rid of that over time. And that’s why I tell you that I’m on the right path.
– On a general level, how do you rate the season?
– So far we are seventh. So it’s okay, we have to continue, we have to, above all, at home take the maximum points we can and also compete away from home. And at the end of the season you have to qualify for Europe, as always.
– The team is going through a very good streak
– We must not forget that we also came out of a defeat against Sevilla and that was hard for us and for the fans as well. That’s why now we have a face, a different look. And we always go out to the field to compete, fight and that is evident now.
– In Europe, it has been difficult for them to achieve victories
-In Conference there are no easy games, you know? We play a lot, there is a game every three days. So at the head level it is also very tiring, but we are here to play these games. And for me the Conference games are a little different because we don’t know well the teams we are going to play against. And then there are times, there are days… You can’t always be at your highest level. But now we are good because we came from a victory, we have four points in three games. Not bad. It’s not perfect, of course, but I believe that if we continue like this we will qualify for the next phase.
– Due to his great experience in European competitions, he should be an example in the locker room
– Yes, of course, but we talked about that before. There is a difference between what I want to do and what I can do. I want to play every game at my highest level like before, you know? But the reality today is that I need a little more time to reach this level. But the path is good and I tell you, today we have four points, three games left. You have to do things well to qualify.
-What do you see in the locker room? What atmosphere is there?
– There is a good atmosphere. Every player wants to work. And I don’t know, I can’t explain it to you, but it is noticeable, it is felt.
– Is there excitement about doing something big this season with Betis?
No, it’s too early. We have to wait, we have to wait. But yes, if we follow this path, of course.
– You have a contract until 2026. Would you like to fulfill it and be here at Betis for several more years?
– Of course, I am here to play, to compete, to also help the team achieve its objectives. And of course I would like to continue with Betis. I am very happy and it shows, it shows. Everyone knows it.