This week, Riddlesdown Collegiate was visited by Crystal Palace’s very own Marc Guehi. As word spread among students and staff, excitement was high and everyone was buzzing to meet him. The teachers remained quiet about the identity of the player, as they all wanted it to be a surprise for the students. After Marc was secretly escorted on site, the small handful of students fortunate enough to be selected for this amazing opportunity began to show their excitement.

Staff and students then started to fill the room, and once the students realized who was standing in front of them, the looks on their faces showed utter shock and complete amazement. Once everyone had settled down, Marc and his interviewer both introduced themselves, and the interview got underway. While the photography team snapped photos and filmed the interview, Marc spoke about his background and upbringing, sharing that his parents were initially against the idea of him playing football.

Marc then went on to discuss his recent international spell during EURO 2024. He shared his experiences, feelings, emotions, and gave real insights into what it is like to play at such a high level. The students were blown away, taking everything in and listening attentively.

Soon after the interview concluded, everyone was given a chance to ask Marc some questions. One student asked, “What was your biggest setback and how did you overcome it?” Marc went on to talk about a knee injury he suffered during the 2023/24 season, which was a major blow to him, but he emphasized how his mentality played a big part in his recovery. He also spoke about the importance of his faith and family in his career and how they helped boost him.

Some difficult questions were asked, and all were answered brilliantly, leaving no student or staff member wondering. After the Q&A, Marc kindly gave up his time to sign shirts, take photos, and even offer one-on-one advice to those who asked.

In summary, every student was very pleased and grateful for the experience and enjoyed meeting such an incredible player. Thank you to Marc Guehi for giving up his time for us today and for being so cooperative and amazing.

Tom M – Year 10 Pegasus College