Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier’s visit to Rwanda brought together football, tourism and cultural discovery, with a special focus on inspiring the country’s next generation of footballers. The French shot-stopper arrived in Kigali on Sunday, November 8, for a two-day visit under the PSG-Visit Rwanda partnership. During his stay, the 24-year-old was introduced to Rwanda’s tourism attractions, cultural heritage and sporting development. He also met young Rwandan goalkeepers, sharing his experience and encouraging them to pursue their football ambitions. Chevalier arrived in Kigali at around 9 a.m., where he was welcomed by the Visit Rwanda team before embarking on a programme that included visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, Kigali Golf Resort & Villas and Amahoro Stadium. At Amahoro Stadium, he met Minister of State for Sports Rwego Ngarambe and interacted with 25 young goalkeepers from PSG Academy Rwanda. He also joined the youngsters for a training session, offering practical advice and encouragement to aspiring footballers. ALSO READ: 'Well-deserved,' Kagame reacts to PSG's Champions League triumph Speaking about the message he wanted to share with the young players, Chevalier emphasised the importance of enjoying football, taking training seriously and avoiding unnecessary pressure. “My message is quite simple. I come from an ordinary background in France, and I did not necessarily dream of becoming a footballer from a very young age. But I became one because I enjoyed playing, trained well, remained serious and did not put too much pressure on myself,” he said. He also stressed that hard work was essential to achieving success, regardless of one’s chosen profession. “Without hard work, you cannot achieve anything in life, whether in football or another profession,” he added. Beyond football, Chevalier said the trip offered an opportunity to discover a country he had previously known mainly through social media, particularly its natural attractions and cultural heritage. “Honestly, I did not know that much about Rwanda before coming here. Most of what I knew came from social media, particularly its culture, nature, safaris and mountains. But since arriving, I have learned a lot, and I feel there is still much more to discover,” he said. The goalkeeper, who said he had enjoyed the warm welcome and local food, added that he hoped to recommend Rwanda to his friends after experiencing what the country has to offer. He also described the PSG-Visit Rwanda partnership as mutually beneficial, noting that it creates opportunities for young Rwandan footballers while introducing French visitors to the country’s culture and history. “I think this partnership is positive for everyone. It allows young Rwandans to continue dreaming and enjoying football, while helping the country develop and reach the level it wants to achieve in the coming years, Chevalier said. At the same time, it gives us French people the opportunity to discover a country like Rwanda, which has so much to offer, particularly in terms of culture and history. Jonathan Bucyana, Visit Rwanda’s International Partnerships representative, said Chevalier's visit reflects Rwanda’s broader ambition to strengthen its international profile through sport while inspiring young people. “Lucas coming here sends a very important message to the children. They see that their dreams can become a reality. Meeting a player they normally watch on television gives them encouragement to work harder,” Bucyana said. He added that although Visit Rwanda had made significant progress in promoting the country internationally through sports partnerships, more needed to be done to showcase its cultural heritage, natural attractions and local experiences. “This partnership is very important for Rwanda and the country’s global vision. It helps promote a positive image of Rwanda through sport while showing the world what the country has to offer,” he said. Chevalier’s visit is expected to continue in the Northern Province, where he will travel to Musanze for a gorilla trekking experience, giving him an opportunity to discover one of Rwanda’s leading tourism attractions. His visit highlights how the PSG-Visit Rwanda partnership seeks to connect international sport with local communities, using football not only to promote Rwanda globally but also to inspire young athletes and expose them to opportunities beyond the pitch.
