Rémy Cabella, former French international and ex-AS Saint-Étienne player, expressed his regrets about the relegation of FC Nantes to Ligue2 during an interview with the media Capté. The attacking midfielder, who only spent five months on the banks of the Erdre, described this period as a great disappointment, stressing that he could not prevent the fall of the Nantes club despite his efforts.
When he arrived in Nantes, Cabella had clearly defined his objective: to bring his experience to help the Canaries stay in Ligue 1. He recalled that the club, which he considered historic and prestigious, had motivated him to join its ranks. However, the reality turned out to be more complex. The player admitted that the mission was difficult, adding that he was not capable of changing everything alone, comparing his role to that of a player "not Messi". Under coach Vahid Halilhodžić, his playing time decreased significantly, even after a notable performance in the 3–0 victory against OM at Beaujoire, where he scored a goal.
Despite these personal frustrations, Cabella wanted to send a strong message to Nantes and Saint-Etienne supporters. He declared that, in his opinion, the two historic clubs, Nantes and Saint-Étienne, should always play in Ligue 1. This speech comes as the two teams are currently playing in the second division, but with very different trajectories. Saint‑Étienne, led by Eirik Horneland, sit at the top of the championship with 25 points after ten matches, while Nantes have collected just eight points, ranking in fifteenth place.
The player stressed that his vision remains that these two clubs naturally belong to the French first division. His statement is all the more relevant as Saint-Étienne seems ready to quickly return to Ligue1, while Nantes must recover quickly to avoid settling permanently in the second division. Cabella concluded by recalling his attachment to both institutions and expressing the hope that their supporters will see their teams return to the elite in the coming months.