He July 9, 2009 the new Real Madrid striker was introduced: Karim Benzema. The Frenchman, then with 11 on his back, was going to turn 22 and came from Lyon for 35 million. That same day he posed before his new hobby in a crowded Bernabéu, but he also spoke for the media in the press room … Along with Valdano. The Argentine was the sports director of the club and accompanied him in that trance. Now, 11 years later, they have both sat down to chat on the show. Valdano Universe no taboos or buts.
You give very few interviews. “More than before, I have been in Madrid for a long time, but for me the important thing is in the field. This is less so.”
Beginnings. “In my town it was like everyone else, I have had an ordinary life. I played soccer with many children in the street, there I gave my first touches. In that area you learn, because there are many people and only one ball.”
Family. “I have nine siblings, four men and five women. My parents taught me to always respect people. If there is an older man or woman, you shut up and listen. I learned that authority. I have not changed with respect to life that I had before, I am still Karim and when I can go to France, I will come back. Two of my brothers who tried to be footballers, but did not want to bear the sacrifice that this entails. I even played football with my mother, I told her to get into the she did not like much, but she was with me. She always agreed with me and my father the opposite, not that he opposed me to hurt me, but he demanded a lot of me because he wanted me to reach the He always wanted me to score, for him football was goals, but now I can talk to him about this sport, because he understands what I do on the field. “
Florentino Pérez applauds Benzema on the day of his presentation.
EFE Agency
Signing for Lyon. “I was eight years old … I started at that age and I already trained three or four days a week. Until I was 14-15 I played soccer without wanting to be a professional, but at that point I had a coach who motivated me a lot, a lot, He gave me confidence and made me grow. He told me “you have talent, but you also have to run”. And I learned. From him I made the leap and at 17 I reached elite football. I believe that everyone has talent, some more, some less … But what makes the difference in the end are the sacrifices. At Lyon I was focused. Sometimes I was a substitute, other times I was called off, but I kept working. I thought “they are very good”, but not They are Ronaldo. I worked, I worked, I worked and in the end one got injured, they gave me the opportunity. And I settled down. “
The critics. “This sport has changed a lot. People think that a forward has to score goals and yes, okay, but if one day it doesn't fit you … That's a problem. It's better to know how to do more things, to have more records. Ronaldo Nazario, who not only scored goals, did everything. For me he is a model, as is Zidane. If I score a goal but don't touch the ball in 90 minutes … I'm not going to say that I won't have served to Nothing, but I like to come home happy with my game and I want to show more with my game. It's difficult, but little by little I am convincing people. “
Position in the field. “What is a 9? What is a 10? Tell me. I think I am a player who has a bit of everything. I like fast play, touches, movement … I have changed over time and people are already starting to understand that I am a modern striker, that I can participate and do different things “.
Ronaldo Nazario. “I started watching football for him. I tried to imitate him, but it's impossible because there is no one like him. His way of dribbling, shooting …”.
Arrival in Madrid. “I was with my friends and they told me” you have to come, Florentino is here. “I greeted him, we talked and he told me if I had his word to sign. I said yes, of course. At Lyon he was the spoiled child and he wasn't there. psyched up to play for Madrid. I arrived and it was complicated, you look at the dressing room and they are the best. I came very young and did not really know what this club is, I thought I would have to go out on the pitch and now, but no, this is a lifestyle. If you don't feel well outside, it's difficult to perform inside. Staying 20 years old alone in Madrid is hard, really. Lyon and Madrid are two different worlds. “
Cristiano Ronaldo. “He spoke to me a lot, because he knew a little French. He told me that whatever I needed I could tell him, but it was difficult for me to open up. As a result of Cristiano and over the years I changed my game, because he was there. At Lyon I was the one who scored … Now I touch the ball more. Because of course, I had a boy next to him who scored like the triple, so he had to adapt “.
Language. “It took me about two and a half years. I'm a reserved boy and I admit it was difficult.”
Zidane. “We are aligned, we understand football the same way. I sometimes talk to him about things that on the field may seem basic, but are not. In the dressing room it is the same as on the field, he has that ability to solve problems very naturally. He never screams, he is always calm and collected. That helps us, because we can make mistakes, but he prioritizes finding solutions. “
Captain. “Ramos is the leader on and off the pitch, he takes it inside, I think that leadership is something one is born with. I am more of a captain in the locker room.”
Zidane hugs Benzema in a Champions League match.
Paul Ellis (AFP)
His physique. “I started to take better care of myself off the field. Food, sleep better, exercise at home as well … These are details that later put you on top and prevent injury. When I have a week of training I work until I end up dead because on Saturday , for the game, I want to be well. You play as you train. “
Influences. “Nobody, I just changed the chip. Am I getting older? I'm 32 years old and I feel like I can run, run and run.”
Selection. “I had a problem and I thought” I have to talk to the coach. “But I never had an explanation. I think that came from above. And it was over. The good thing is that this has allowed me to rest more and be 100% for him. Madrid. It didn't hurt to see that they were world champions, I wanted to be there, of course, but I have won Champions … Many titles. Honestly, it hurt me more that they did not give me explanations than not having lifted the World Cup. But it doesn't matter , I focus on my club and it's over. “
Sons. “I have two and they are the best thing that has happened to me in my life. With them I am calmer, I watch television, I talk about football. They are 3 and 6 years old. I consider myself a very homely person, I train every day and then I stay relaxing at home”.
Benzema celebrates a goal at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Doubts. “I never considered leaving Madrid, not even in my worst moment. I always think about what I can improve, to put solutions to problems. There are years that things have not gone well for me, but in the end I have tried to be in the important moments. I thought “you have a game to prove your worth”. And that's how I went out onto the field. “
After withdrawal. “After my career I will continue to be linked to football, that's for sure. Coach? It's complicated because it's not just putting 11 footballers in, you have to explain yourself, be close to the stands … I would like to, but I recognize that it's a lot of work.”
Future. “I do not know until when I will be at a high level, I go season by season. I have a contract until 2022 and we are going to see … Of course, I will always leave the door of my house open for Florentino.”