It will be an emotional encounter for Moses Simon when the Nigeria international takes to the pitch of the Stade Sebastien Charlety this Friday night, Soccernet.ng reports.
Hosts Paris FC trade tackles with visiting Nantes in a matchday nine clash in the French Ligue 1.
For the first time since leaving in the summer, Simon faces his beloved Nantes in a league clash. It is a fixture certain to hold a special place in Simon’s heart as he spent six unforgettable years with the Canaries before joining newly promoted Paris FC this summer.
“I could have stayed there for twenty years,” Simon admitted during Thursday’s press conference, as per Le Parisien.
“I had a strong bond with the supporters. I kept the Nantes jersey in my heart, I still have it at home.”
Few players have left such a deep imprint on the club’s modern history. Simon featured in 201 matches, scoring 37 goals and providing 42 assists, while also helping Nantes lift the Coupe de France in 2022.
His departure, though expected after months of speculation, left many fans heartbroken. Nantes were reluctant to let their vice-captain go, but Paris FC’s €6.5 million offer, and their ambitious summer rebuild, proved irresistible.
Simon, 31, still maintains close ties with his old teammates.
The former Levante forward admits he communicated with Super Eagles teammate Chidozie Awaziem, who returned to Nantes this summer, as well as a few other friends.
“But we didn’t talk about the match, because we know we’re going to win,” Simon revealed with a laugh.
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Paris FC’s ambition and Moses Simon’s challenge
At Paris FC, Simon has become one of the faces of a bold project. The club, back in Ligue 1 for the first time in years, spent heavily to build a competitive side capable of survival, and perhaps more.
“There’s also ambition at Nantes,” Simon explained, “but here, we feel more of a desire to do something. It’s a different playing philosophy. I’m happy with my start to the season, but I’m going to give even more.”
Simon’s start has been steady with two goals and two assists but his manager Stéphane Gilli expects greater consistency.
“Like other players, I expect more from him,” said Gilli. “He needs to be more regular throughout a game. He knows that, I told him.”
Simon agrees.
“If the coach says it, he’s right. He wants to put good things in place.”
With games against Nantes, Lyon, and Monaco coming up, the next fortnight could define Paris FC’s campaign.