“Pauleta, it was something”… The memories of Michel Montana, historic announcer of the Parc des Princes, now retired

After hosting PSG matches for almost 30 years, Michel Montana hung up the microphone last May, celebrated by an entire stadium.

“Here is… Paris”. He is the man behind this phrase which has become an identity marker within the community of Paris Saint-Germain supporters. After having accompanied the evenings of the capital club since 1994 (in an official capacity since 1998), Michel Montana retired on May 12, the evening when PSG celebrated its 12th French championship title. At 68, the man who shouted the names of the Parisian scorers three times was invited to lift the trophy among the players.

Five months after saying goodbye to the Parc des Princes, the ex-speaker, but also actor and voice actor, returns with a calm head to this career which made him one of the privileged witnesses of the rise of PSG.

What has your life been like since May?

It’s a retired life but not quite. I am still contacted by a lot of media. I’m still a little bit in it. My last actual job was in July. As luck would have it, my very last freelance work was for the film 4 zeros by Fabien Onteniente. I was asked to reshoot and I did what I did at the Parc des Princes, but in the studio.

How did you become speaker of the Parc des Princes?

It was an encounter I had in the corridors of Canal Jimmy, a channel for which I was the voice and editor for certain programs. I spoke by chance with the one who was the music programmer but also the Parc des Princes on match nights. We talked about football. He saw that PSG was my club. He introduced me to the marketing director at the time. The current is going well. They tested me, it worked. I made quite a few replacements between 1994 and 1998 because there was already a speaker. I was number 2, but I played a lot of matches. I became the official announcer after the 1998 World Cup.

What is a good speaker?

Honestly, I don’t know. If you have the formula, you have to give it to me because I still don’t understand. I’m a little surprised because people say a lot of nice things to me… I think it’s a mixture of kindness, voice… I’m lucky to have a voice, it seems. I worked in radio for quite a few years, it brought me benefits. Like all voice professions, from the moment you have a microphone in your hand, the most important thing is who you are speaking to. I always addressed the supporters. I thought of them first and foremost and I think I took them on board afterwards, with my way of animating. I brought a few extra things: the way of phrasing, announcing goals, team compositions… There is no magic formula. Everyone has their own style. I found mine without knowing exactly how I could define it. Obviously the supporters liked it.

Your way of animating must have evolved between 1994 and 2024…

There are two aspects, the technical aspect first. Little by little, the Park was equipped. After the World Cup, giant screens brought a lot. The sound is just extraordinary. The Park has become more beautiful. Concrete colored, it has become red and blue. As far as I’m concerned, with the experience and knowledge of the stands, I brought extra things. There was a progression, but without me realizing it. When I decided to stop and I got all these expressions of sympathy, I was very surprised. Sometimes we don’t have the necessary perspective to see how things have evolved. Hosting a match today has nothing to do with 30 years ago.

Which player had the most impact on you?

There are several, for different reasons. There are those who impressed me, like Raï or Zlatan. There are players whose personality I liked, and especially their kindness and kindness, Marquinhos style. Pedro Miguel Pauleta was something. He’s a lovely person. When he put on the Parisian jersey, he was exactly the type of player that supporters adore. People often ask me about my best memories, from time to time I think of the players’ farewells because they always stick out.

What is your view on the trajectory of PSG, which has seen almost everything in 30 years?

I never thought PSG would look like this team that is now one of the best in Europe. I have known the lean cows. Even if every fan remembers these periods with nostalgia, we also like to have results and admire our team. I never imagined being able to present such a team and tell myself that one day I was going to announce a Messi-Neymar-Mbappé attacking trio. I look at this with Chimène’s eyes. I saw PSG’s first Division 1 promotion match. I was young, a student. At the time, we were already happy to have a club in the first division. The supporter is admiring. The announcer is just happy to put on a good show, there with the best ingredients and the best actors.

Did you have the opportunity to return to the Parc des Princes and see your successor?

I was invited to the first match. I saw him, but from afar, even if I greeted him from the stand. Besides, I have never been used to finding myself in a trash bin. I couldn’t get down on the lawn. He’s a friend, I worked with him in radio a long time ago, but I’m not the originator of his tests. It’s funny to me, but no one is irreplaceable. I’m happy for him. You have to give it time to settle in.