What is the first thing that comes to mind from your childhood?
My first memory is accompanying my dad to his game and playing with the ball. I know these interviews aren't primarily about football, but for me that's the first thing I really remember, and it's a very fond memory for me.

Was he a professional?
No, my dad played football at amateur level but he was very keen. My brothers also play at amateur level.

What did your parents do?
My dad is an entrepreneur, my mum ran the household at home and brought up my two brothers and me.

Was Lyes Houri a model child and a good big brother?
I tried to be a brother they could look up to and who would protect them if they needed it. Now they are 20 and 22, there is nothing to protect them from, but we are very close. As for being a good kid... I think I only did something really stupid once. I was supposed to go home after school, we lived five minutes from the building. I went to play football with a friend in a remote field. I got home at nine in the evening because time was running out, I didn't have a mobile phone yet, I'll never forget my dad's face. My parents thought I had been kidnapped, they had already called the police, everyone they could. I realized right away that I had caused a big problem. Then I was grounded for a couple of weeks, I had time to think about it. But all I really wanted to do was play football (laughs).

Did you get in trouble at school?
I didn't have any problems with school, I liked to be with my friends and play football in the holidays. But I didn't study a specific profession or anything like that, to be honest I didn't really have a 'plan B', I always wanted to be a footballer.

You had a realistic chance to do so quite early on, as you were a member of the French national team from the age of 15 for four years. What is the secret behind the great success of French football?
There is no secret and I don't think it's the mentality that makes the difference. There's a lot of talent at all ages, there's a lot of potential to be absorbed, suffice it to say that I was teammates with Lucas Hernandez, Kingsley Coman and Benjamin Pavard in the youth teams. But I could also mention one of my best friends, Angelo Fulgini, who now plays for Mainz. Every club has a very systematic way of building up their youth system, starting from the lowest level, and maybe that's the key.

You avoided injuries for a long time, but last year you tore your hamstring in January. What was that incident and the long layoff like for you?
It didn't change me completely, but it left a mark. I'm more conscious of myself, especially during periods of higher stress. During the weeks and months of recovery and rehabilitation, I learned a lot about myself and about football.

And when it's not football, what do you like to do? For example, what was the last thing you did for the first time in your life?
If you mean literally, the last time was just trying out the new Call of Duty with my friends. I like playing games on PlayStation, it relaxes me, I think this one was good. And during the three-week break I went to Madrid for the first time in my life, I really liked the Spanish capital.

So only video games are on TV? Favourite film or series?
When I was a kid, I watched The Lion King every single day (laughs). Since then, I prefer to watch sports on TV, football and tennis mainly.

Can you play?
I try sometimes. I wouldn't dare say I can, it's a very complex sport. But I love to watch it, I went to Roland Garros twice with my mum and I got to see both Nadal and Federer play live. It was a great experience!

Okay, we already know that tennis is not your main talent, but is there anything else you are comfortable with?
Unfortunately not, I'm not a good cook, I don't play any instruments, I can't sing or rap, even though I love hip-hop music. I think I'm left with football. But I'm very happy about that too!

Do you listen to new artists or do you prefer the classics?
Classics, obviously! 2Pac is the biggest favourite, but there are also some really good French rappers that I like to listen to.

I understand that you and your wife live in Fehérvár?
Yes, we are very happy here. We have our favourite restaurants and cafés in the city, where we often go, and sometimes we also go to Budapest, where we also have our regulars.

So isn't it the food that you miss the most in France?
No, it's my family and friends. I've been playing abroad for years, so we rarely get to see each other.

Recently, a lucky Hungarian player won nearly €78 million in the Eurojackpot. What would you spend it on if you had won?
Wow, that's a lot of money, someone had a really good day. I would definitely give a big slice to my family first. Then I'd buy a big house and a nice car, but I'd still have plenty left over.

Would you retire?
Nah, definitely not, I'd miss the game. I've wanted to be a professional player all my life, I couldn't stop playing from one moment to the next.