James Léa-Siliki, professional footballer, talks about hairstyles, perfume mixes and tactics on the pitch.

James Léa-Siliki, professional footballer, talks about hairstyles, perfume mixes and tactics on the pitch.

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Photos James-Léa Siliki

Words Paul-Arthur Jean-Marie

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COMFORTABLE IN HIS OWN SKIN. After an intensive week of games mid-November, James-Léa Siliki spoke to Horace about his hairstyles, perfume mixes and inspirations.

James-Léa Siliki is the former midfielder for Stade Rennais FC. The footballer obtained his first football licence with RC Gonesse, a local club in the Paris suburbs, at the age of 8. Football is in his blood, preceded by two brothers and a father who are also players and fans. We find him via Zoom after an intensive week of games. The young man behind his computer screen has a smiling face and is just finishing a game of video games...

You're coming off a big week of games. How do you recover in the days that follow?

Usually after weeks like that, we have lighter training sessions. For example, this time we only have three sessions. That gives me time and a few days to recover, to cut back and catch up on my sleep. And above all, to be at home in peace. It's a change from all the travelling. I still need to stay active, I work from home: I have an exercise bike, I do strength training, weight training and abs.

It's also a chance to get out of your player's jersey. How important is your appearance at these times?

I can say that I take care of myself. Especially my haircut! I have an appointment with my hairdresser once or twice a week. My friends call me "Mr. Contour" (Mr. Hairstyle). I like my hair to be extremely well done and my undercuts to be precise. I'm often told that I see my hairdresser more than my coach (laughs). Overall, I like my hair to look good and smell good. My sister-in-law always tells me that I applied too much perfume!

What are your perfumes?

I have to admit that I like to keep it a secret. Because I mix things up to have a unique scent. I like the idea that you can't find the scent I'm using without me saying so.

And how do you make these mixes? When did you start making them?

I started a bit by accident. Several products in my toiletry bag opened up inside, including perfumes, and when I cleaned it I really liked the smell. I tested it on scraps of paper until I found that smell again. A bit like a chemist (laughs). Today, I still do these tests with my perfumes, samples, musks.

What do you do to take care of yourself?

My hairbrush is always with me, so is my beard comb. I take great care of my beard. And I take great care to ensure that my skin, both face and body, are always well moisturised. I also like to do masks once a week.

Where does this come from?

Clearly, it comes from my brothers. I grew up with them as role models. Very early on, I saw both of them paying attention to themselves, taking care of themselves, giving importance to perfumes. They each had their own style, their own way of taking care of themselves, and I took that from them.


Today, would you say that you feel good about yourself?

Yes. I must say that I never had many complexes growing up. I've been lucky enough to always have clear skin, no pimples. The most important thing for me has always been to listen to myself, to block out the negative and pessimistic thoughts around me and only keep the good. I listen to my desires, I try never to restrict myself and to bring out my true personality.

The health crisis has affected sports competitions a lot. How do you feel about it?

It's complicated. Especially when we play at home. We don't have our public to cheer us on as usual because we play behind closed doors. We have to deal with it and say that at least we have the chance to play now. Last March that was not the case. We try to give our best with the public in mind. We know that they would have liked to be on the pitch with us. We think about them and that gives us strength. We have to adapt. It also allows us to exchange more with the public on social networks.

We ask ourselves: what is the typical training day of a professional athlete?

I wake up at about 8.15am, hang out for a bit afterwards before taking a shower and starting the day. I leave around 8.40am. We have an appointment at the club at 9.15am but I like to get there a bit early. There, I have a long breakfast. Then we have some time to rest and digest before everyone starts their routine little by little. Training starts at 11am and usually finishes around 3pm. With a lunch break at noon of course!

When you're not on the field, what are you passionate about?

Sports, always and everywhere. Football and basketball. I'm also a big fan of strategy games, whether they are video games, board games or card games. I like the logic in them. That's why I'm a big fan of escape games. There must be about twenty rooms in Rennes, I went there in nineteen of them. After that, I'm a bon vivant and I try to be interested in various subjects. I think it's important when you meet people, it ensures you can have a conversation with people from all walks of life.

Who are the players who have served as inspirations in your career?

There are many, but I can mention Andrés Iniesta, Abou Diaby, Blaise Matuidi or Kevin de Bruyne. These are players who are not necessarily older than me, who have similar profiles to mine, who play in the same position. Following them has allowed me to analyse their game, to see their areas of progress and the difficulties they have encountered. So that I can apply these lessons to my game, and can also evolve. I am also a fan of icons like Ronaldinho.

That's another example of your taste for strategy and technique.

Yes, that's something I get from my brothers. They started playing football before I did and they were always very protective of me. They coached me, they were there from the start. They used to give me reports on my games, to analyse my game precisely and see where I could improve. I never gave up on them.

James Léa-Siliki’s routine

Patchouli & Cedar Beard Oil
Purifying Face Mask
Rich Face Moisturiser