Alphonse Areola knows the mindset needed to win trophies.
The goalkeeper’s personal trophy cabinet already contained silverware from four Ligue 1 successes, one La Liga, three Trophée des Champions, two Coupe de France and a Supercopa de España prior to last season with West Ham United. Not to mention the small matter of the 2018 FIFA World Cup either.
The Frenchman was therefore a crucial influence in the Hammers squad last season as the team ended the Club’s 43-year wait to lift a major piece of silverware, claiming the UEFA Europa Conference League in Prague in June.
The squad of trophy-winning heroes were commemorated at a celebratory Road To Victory dinner held in their honour on Thursday evening, and Areola was delighted to spend time recollecting the historic victory.
“It’s good to remember these things that we’ve done. It was something we worked towards that will always be in the history of West Ham United,” he told West Ham TV.
“When that final whistle went in Prague the first thought that went through my mind was ‘job done!’ It’s another trophy for me and a trophy for all the guys as well. I was already looking for a space for the medal and trophy on my shelf at home.
“It was an amazing campaign. In the UEFA Europa League the season before, we had the opportunity to get to the final but we didn’t make it. This year, we got the job done and we showed to Europe that West Ham United are champions!”
Areola was personally honoured at the event at The InterContinental London – The O2, with his tremendous stop to deny Fábio Silva's close-ranged header in the group stage win away to RSC Anderlecht named the Save Of The Tournament.
“Sometimes I watch my saves back and even I’m still wondering how I did it,” he continued. “But it’s part of my job, and it’s something I work on every day at Rush Green.
“I have to have the confidence to pull it off and I know there is confidence in me from my teammates too.”
While the squad and manager David Moyes revelled in the opportunity to discuss the famous win with gathered fans, the hard work ahead of the 2023/24 season is well underway.
With five pre-season games so far yielding three wins, the Irons will make the trip over to Germany to face Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in a final test of the summer schedule, before a Premier League opener away to AFC Bournemouth next Saturday.
“Pre-season has been good so far. Our bodies are getting ready for the new season and we’re looking forward to our first game in the Premier League away at Bournemouth.
“Of course, we’ve got Bayer Leverkusen in our last pre-season game too. They had a great campaign in the Europa League last season so we’ll have to play the way we play in order to prepare for the Premier League.”
Having worn the No13 for the last two seasons, Areola will instead take the No23 shirt for the 2023/24 campaign, a move that matches the shot-stopper with the same number he wears for the French National Team.
The 30-year-old explained his love for one of sports’ all-time greats influenced his decision.
“I’m a big Michael Jordan fan,” Areola added. “I’ve got all his sneakers and The Last Dance is one of the best things I’ve ever watched. I watched Space Jam as a kid too, so there are lots of memories of Michael Jordan.
“I have the same number in the France national team too and, when I first took No23, I didn’t want to have a normal goalkeeper shirt. I wanted something a bit different and now I’ve got the opportunity to have the No23 here at West Ham as well.
“Michael Jordan is on another planet in terms of winning things but hopefully we can do something great again this season at West Ham.”
