Samir Nasri has confirmed he will remain neutral during Saturday's Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, despite his history with both clubs and recent abuse from PSG supporters. The 38-year-old former France international, who retired in 2020, now works as a pundit for French television. He will not attend the final in Budapest, instead hosting a show in Paris for Canal+.
Abuse from PSG Fans
During PSG's semi-final against Bayern Munich, Nasri was subjected to insults from PSG fans, which he attributes to his Marseille roots. 'Yes, it's true. But it's part of the game as a former Marseille player to get insulted by Parisian fans,' Nasri told L'Equipe. 'Even though I think they had other things to do, like celebrating qualifying for the final.' However, he insists the abuse is not why he is skipping the final. 'It's PSG-Arsenal, it's better to have Robert Pires, who's a die-hard Gunners fan, and David Ginola, who's a die-hard PSG fan, than someone neutral, like me, on set.'
Nasri's Arsenal Legacy
Nasri played 125 times for Arsenal from 2008 to 2011, leaving without a trophy before joining Manchester City, where he won two Premier League titles. His departure angered Arsenal fans, and a later stint at West Ham did little to mend relations. 'Arsenal is also my former club, but I don't have an extraordinary relationship with its fans,' he said.
In 2016, Nasri defended his move to City, stating: 'Manchester City were a better team – that's why I went there. It was my ambition, not because of the money. I had so much love for this club because the fans were amazing towards me. But then, after when I saw all of that, I became a little hateful... It became this bad relationship, from love to hate.'
Family Insults Cross the Line
While Nasri is unfazed by most jeers, he admitted that insults aimed at his mother during the semi-final bothered him. 'What bothered me was that they insulted my mother, even though, well, you've qualified for the final, you celebrate with your players!' he said. 'It's not the first time I've been insulted in a stadium, and it certainly won't be the last. And if I let it get to me, I'd quit TV and I'd quit going to matches.'
Nasri, who earned 41 caps for France, will watch the final from Paris, leaving the punditry to passionate fans of each club.
