It has become an almost daily ritual, for three weeks now, for Pascal Leno: watching his two goals scored with his club Linas-Montlhéry (National 3, the equivalent of the 5th Division) against the professionals of Angers, in 32nd final of the Coupe de France.
I watch it over and over, from morning to night, I watch it all the time. Frankly, I don’t know how to explain it to you, but I scored against Angers… Not a goal, no, but two, that’s a lot anyway, isn’t it? (Smiles)
Goals that crossed borders, to the native Guinea of the 24-year-old. “Many people have sent me messages, especially the family in the bled“, entrusts the player to France Bleu Paris.”They are proud to see me on TV, they weren’t expecting it, they were surprised (laughs). I received a lot of encouragement, congratulations, it’s just a bonus.“
An unsuccessful attempt at Le Havre
Two goals that reward a boy with a battered life course. Originally from Guinea, he left his First Division club in 2016, when he was 19, to try his luck in France. The one who is nicknamed in the country Griezmann for his generosity and his abnegation on the ground, is expected in Le Havre, for a test. “I did not arrive in time to perform this test“, explains Pascal Leno modestly to France Bleu. He takes refuge with his family in Essonne, plays for clubs in the region, Arpajon, then in Sénart-Moissy (Seine-et-Marne), and does odd jobs.
In Linas-Montlhéry, he found stability and a family. “It goes beyond football, he is a charming, endearing boy, a beautiful person. We even spent the Christmas holidays together“, says the president of the Essonnian club Mickaël Bertansetti.”We are super happy that he was the one who scored the two goals against Angers.”
Same story for the coach Stéphane Cabrelli: “All coaches would like to coach a player like him. He is very humble, very polite, he works a lot, sometimes we even have to calm him down a bit. We know he wants to play higher, if that happens we will be very happy for him.“Pascal Leno, who is still giving himself a year to play professionally, hopes to shine against Amiens on Sunday in the round of 16 against Amiens to continue his great adventure with Linas-Montlhéry.