Saliba believes in his outstanding abilities and says he must not become complacent.

French defender Saliba, who plays for Premier League giants Arsenal, said in an interview that he believes he has outstanding abilities and qualities, but also emphasized that players should not become complacent because of this.

In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Saliba contributed a goal for Arteta's team and helped Arsenal lift the Premier League title. Unfortunately, although Arsenal advanced to the Champions League final, they lost to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, thus missing out on achieving a double.

The 25-year-old Saliba said, "I believe I am one of the best defenders in the world, and a championship trophy is what makes people remember you forever."

“I know I have the ability and talent to become a top player, so I have always strived to return to Arsenal and prove that I belong here. I will also constantly remind myself not to become complacent because of this.”

Saliba was called up to the French national team earlier and will therefore join Konaté, Koundé, Gusto, Upamecano, and others in the 2026 World Cup, a major football event.

Saliba added, "The world of football changes so fast that if you become complacent, someone will soon take your place."

In addition, France, nicknamed "Les Bleus," will host Ivory Coast in a friendly match at the Stade de Beaujoire, and French coach Didier Deschamps stated at a press conference that Saliba's physical condition is not a concern.

Deschamps said, "Saliba is in good condition, and we will manage his playing time reasonably. If he really needs to play tomorrow, he is perfectly capable of playing."

After this friendly match, France will face Senegal in their first match of Group I of the World Cup. France is also in the same group as Iraq and Norway.

Deschamps continued, "Of course I have ideas about the starting lineup, but we can never predict the future. There are still two games before that, and a lot can happen in between. All the players want to be in the starting lineup, and we must also be mindful of any feelings of disappointment that may arise. Due to the playing environment in the United States and the intervals between games, we will have more opportunities to observe and understand the players."

“I have to manage the players’ playing time and allocate the lineup reasonably, even if it’s not entirely in line with the team’s wishes. All 26 players are currently in good physical condition. This friendly match is just the first step in the preparation process. We will have a match against Northern Ireland in four days.”

Image source: Internet