“I was a big fan of Jérôme Rothen in 2004!”
To celebrate the systematic presence of many Monegasque supporters in outdoor parks, asmonaco.com is continuing its “Everywhere always” series, dedicated to supporters of the Red and Whites. For this 2nd episode of the season, meet Meryl, a resident of Paris but a fan of AS Monaco.
She is 32 years old, lives in Paris, and works as a media manager. At first glance, nothing suggests that Meryl Boy is a fan of AS Monaco. However, the love story has been going on for 23 years now. Meeting with this Red and White enthusiast, fan of Jérôme Rothen.
Hello Meryl! An AS Monaco fan in the Paris region may come as a surprise. How did you fall into the pot?
I started to follow football in 1998. And many players from the French team were playing in Monaco at the time, in particular David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry. I followed everything at the time! From 1999, I went to La Turbie and collected jerseys and posters. I was a fan of Marcelo Gallardo and Marco Simone, they were my two favorites! But what really played obviously was my father. He has always been a fan of the Club so I think he oriented me a bit (laughs)! But to be completely honest, I’ve been really diligent since the Champions League epic in the 2003-2004 season. Which team ! Rothen, Prso Giuly, Morientes… it was crazy.
Your father is also an AS Monaco fan then?
Yes ! When he was young, he went to see Paris-Saint-Germain with his parents. One day he was there to watch a match against Monaco. He saw the players come out in costume on the lawn, which was rare for the time. He was so amazed that he started supporting AS Monaco!
At the start of the season, I note the trips to organize myself in advance. I like going to Lille, it’s always a good match. I like Reims, because I have a Monaco fan friend who lives there.
On his favorite trips
You said above that you started following AS Monaco in 1998, but that you have been diligent since 2004. Why?
Quite simply because in 1998, I was too young to understand everything, I was eight years old! At that age, I couldn’t go to bed too late (laughs). In 2003-2004, I was thirteen years old, and I was able to watch the Champions League matches in full. That’s why 2004 was like a turning point for me in my life as a supporter.
Moreover, from that time, who were your favorite players?
(Without hesitation) Jérôme Rothen! I was a big fan of him! A friend was very fond of Fernando Morientes, and she ended up passing on her love for him to me. I remember his goal against Real Madrid… Exceptional.
And more recently, do you have any favorites?
We hear little about it, but João Moutinho. I love this player. He has always done the work behind the scenes. He was not a “stats” player, but he was very valuable in the game. Otherwise, in the current team, Wissam Ben Yedder of course. With all the goals he has met us, it’s very hard not to like him!
We suspect that with your knowledge you have already had the opportunity to go and see a match at the Louis-II…
Of course, at least twenty times! On average, I try to come three or four times a season depending on my schedule. Last season I was able to come for the reception of Strasbourg and on the occasion of the Ciné Louis-II for the last match of the season against Lens. This season, I am on a good basis, since I was already present against Rennes. And I can assure you, it won’t be my last game of the season at the Stadium!
Bernardo Silva’s equalizer in added time at the Parc des Princes during the 2016-2017 season, the year of the title. It was wonderful !
On his fondest memory on the move
Have you ever traveled?
There too I would say a good twenty. At the start of the season, I note the trips to organize myself in advance. I like going to Lille, it’s always a good game. I like Reims, because I have a Monaco fan friend who lives there, so we spend the weekend together every time, it’s great! In Paris, I try to go every year since I live there. I also enjoy traveling to Nantes and Rennes. As soon as the calendar for the season falls, I tick off the date of my favorite trips and I don’t organize anything else.
With so many trips under your belt, you like an anecdote…
Yes, but she’s a little sad. During the 2014-2015 season, when Lens played in Amiens because of the works in their stadium, I wanted to make the trip. It was raining heavily and I decided to take shelter as long as possible before the match. Problem, when I decide to go to the stadium, I am told that the parking lot is already full! Indeed, the places had been reduced in case there would be overflows at the end of the meeting because of Lensois supporters who were a little nervous (the northern club was relegated that year). Suddenly, I could not attend the match and I ended up following it on the radio! If not, a happier and more recent memory is Bernardo Silva’s equalizer in added time at the Parc des Princes during the 2016-2017 season, the year of the title. It was wonderful !
And to finish precisely, a small prognosis for the meeting of Sunday?
It’s going to be a very tough match, but with AS Monaco, anything is possible! I think that in the game, we had a good start to the season, but we were not rewarded for our efforts. Even though PSG’s attacking strength is impressive, I think we have a case to make in this Ligue 1 clash.