Lemar, to MARCA: If I do my job everything will go well... at least I hope LaLiga Santander - Atletico Madrid MARCA interview the most expensive signing in Atletico history

Next to the Caribbean is his native Guadalupe, archipelago of the French Antilles. That was the place where Thomas Lemar (born in Baie-Mahault, November 12, 1995) touched a football for the first time, the guy who arrived in Europe at the age of 14, recruited by Caen, and by the time he was 22 won the World Cup with Antoine Griezmann's France and has now become Atletico Madrid's most expensive signing of all time.

It is not easy to carry out Diego Simeone's duties, but he has managed it thus far, with a trophy already under his belt against Atletico's arch rivals.

Now, it's time to reflect, with MARCA...

Your first title with Atletico, the Super Cup, came in your first official game for the club. No better way to start...

"Yes, obviously arriving at a club and starting with such an important title is best way to help me settle. I am very happy for what we did to win it. I hope that we continue like thus and then others might follow at the end of the season."

All this after winning the World Cup with France. A dream summer...

"The Super Cup is different to the World Cup, but it's a trophy, and a trophy is important for fans and the staff. Atletico fans are happy and so is the team."

After the championships in Russia, you came back from holiday early to start with Atletico. How excited were you?

"Yes, I cut short my holidays to make my adaptation easier. To meet my teammates and the technical staff, to get used to how we play... I am very happy and enjoying life. I hope that continues."

Was Griezmann an important reason for you joining?

"Yes. Although it was a personal choice, it's clear that after chatting to Antoine and also Lucas Hernandez, who told me a lot about the club, deciding to come here was very good to progress in my career, so I did."

Let's reverse the question. Was Lemar important in Griezmann's decision to stay?

"I think that's something you should ask him. I know he was very excited about me joining and he's happy that I'm here, so we can do good things together this season."

Do you think that after winning everything that he has, your teammate could win the Balon d'Or?

"I hope and wish that happens from the bottom of my heart."

How is Simeone? Has he spoken to you much?

"Yes, he has spoken to me a number of times and explained what I must do tactically for the good of the team. I learn every day and he is helping me. "

El Cholo had a conversation about you with Radamel Falcao when the chance to sign you arose. The Colombian was your teammate in Monaco and he played here before...

"I heard that. I didn't speak much to Falcao about this. The coach asked Radamel for some information about me."

Atletico were after your services for some time, although they have only just managed to sign you.

"Yes, that's true. My agents made me aware but I was more focused on my football for Monaco and the national team. After, everything away from the pitch I left to them. All I worry about is what I do on the pitch."

Do you feel more pressure by being the most expensive signing in Atletico's history?

"No, I don't feel pressure, because I tell myself that they are figures for the clubs. I have nothing to do with this. I only have to do my work on the pitch and everything will go well... at least I hope."

You've been at the club for a little while now, how do you find the dressing room? How have your teammates welcomed you?

"My integration is going very well. When there are great players and humble, social people around, it can only go well. My adaptation has been easy at all the clubs I've been at. I am not a complicated person, and everything becomes easier with players like Diego Costa, who is crazy [Lemar said this in perfect Spanish], and Koke. They are fantastic. Then you have Antoine [Griezmann] and Lucas [Hernandez], who I can speak French to and so it becomes easy to adapt and get on with my teammates."

You were born in Guadalupe, in the Caribbean, very far from Europe. How do you think this might have influenced you?

"My style of play? Let's just say that in Guadalupe the pitches aren't like they are here in Europe. Let's just say they're not very good. This makes you improve your technique, control, passing... I left fairly early, to go to the Academy in Caen, where they also helped me to progress and mature, both as a player and a person."

Do you have a feeling that your life has moved too quickly?

"Yes, everything obviously happened very quickly. I left Guadalupe when I was 15 and I am world champion at 22. It's the most beautiful thing that can happen to a footballer, but I hope that doesn't end here and I can keep up that momentum."

What are the objectives this season both for yourself and the team?

"I don't speak much about individual goals. Collectively, with the team, we want to have the best season possible. We will see how the campaign develops..."

And of your new life in Madrid, haven't left a place like Monaco, how are you finding it?

"Good, very good [once again in Spanish]. It's hot isn't it? It's a beautiful city and I think I will feel very at ease here. I think in a football sense it will be good and also in my personal life too."

Of course, after what you've seen against Real Madrid, Valencia and Rayo Vallecano... what do you think about Jan Oblak?

"From what I've seen in training and matches, he's a monster [in French first and then after double checking, in Spanish]. Yes, a monster."