His tumbles on the right side, his volume or his commitment. In two years (68 games, 1 but), from 2017 to 2019, Ruben Aguilar marked Montpellier and La Mosson. Landed from Auxerre and Ligue 2, the side or the piston has since forged a solid reputation in the elite. He has flourished for two and a half years in Monaco but remains attached to a Hérault club which he finds again this Sunday.

You are returning for the third time to La Mosson since your departure from the MHSC in 2019. Is it still a different moment for you?

Always. Every time I come back, it’s both a pleasure and an excitement to find this stadium, this club. It’s a bit of a special game for me. Even if once on the ground, we don’t really pay attention anymore.

How would you describe the place of Montpellier in your career?

It’s a club, I’ve never hidden it, that I have in my heart. They really gave for me, and me in return. It is a family and attached club, which gives everything for its players but also for the people who work there on a daily basis. The MHSC has this warrior temperament. This is why it matched between us. When you play at La Mosson, when you give your all, the fans really give it to you.

What was your most memorable moment during your time at La Paillade?

My first big match, against Paris (September 23, 2017). We’re 0-0, a real men’s performance, the pitch was catastrophic (laughs). It has changed a lot on this point, even here the players say so.

your departure, Montpellier has since changed a lot. How do you judge its development?

There is a new coach, a new project which is interesting. I’m happy to see that Montpellier are moving forward. When I can, I watch, like Wednesday (MHSC-Troyes, 0-1) for example.

At each transfer window, you are mentioned among the players that the supporters would like to see return. Has the opportunity ever presented itself?

Honestly no, not really. But I do not hide that I have a very good relationship with the president. Everyone knows that one day I would like to come back to Montpellier.

For the moment no, I am in Monaco. But if one day I have the opportunity to come back, why not. So far, there has been no discussion.

Still in the race in the Europa League (8th final) and in L1 (6th) but troubled course: do you have the feeling of living a paradoxical season in Monaco?

She is especially agitated with this change of coach but we are still in contention on all fronts. So far, it’s still a positive year. Monaco is a big club, with big plans. If, for the leaders, it was necessary to give a new impetus, it is because it was necessary.

What are the first new features improved by Philippe Clément?

It’s a new philosophy, a coach who advocates attacking play, wants us to run. This is what the ASM tries to transcribe in its project, so there is everything to make it match.

At 28, you are one of the oldest and an ASM executive. How does this translate into everyday life?

I have the chance to evolve with young players full of talent. I am there if needed to give advice, give the best of myself and lead by example. I’m not the type to scream, I show in the game. And maybe I pass on that desire.

Not preserved in Saint-Étienne, the L2 in Grenoble and Auxerre, Montpellier then Monaco. Your trajectory is atypical. But do you feel like a different player from when you started out?

Mentally, I stayed the same. What counts for me is to strip myself. Maybe I accelerated physically, tactically, even technically. Fortunately, otherwise it would be complicated (laughs). I will continue to progress. But I will always keep this aggressiveness.

Find the Blues (1 selection in 2020), in addition with the World Cup at the end of the year, is it your motivation?

When you taste it once, you think about it afterwards. But for now, a new coach has just arrived in Monaco. I focus on that.

Did it not escape you that Didier Deschamps is now aligned with a 3-5-2 system, which you know by heart in Montpellier?

It’s clear, but I want to chain the matches and if he calls on me again, so much the better. Now, obviously the 3-5-2, I know it very well (smile).