Karim Benzema has grant an interview to L’Equipe in which he reviewed how his meeting with Dider Deschamps was before the coach called him for the next European Championship. The Real Madrid striker has assured that the coach did not assure him that he would take him to the European Championship after the confrontation they had and that he has been working for many years to return to France.
His return to France: “It was a very special day last Tuesday. I was very hopeful. It showed that many were waiting for my return. And I was very very happy with the call. I was at my home in Madrid. I received many messages throughout the morning. The rumor was increasing. and it seemed like the event of the day. And I was waiting a long time in front of the television with my relatives and my parents on the phone. “
Seeing your name: “It was super fast. It was a feeling of joy and pride. I quickly remembered all those moments when I had never given up. It was a little shock, and it's been a long time.”
If the call was expected: “I will not say yes or no. I had hope and I have always had it because I never give up, but even more, I have always been ready to return. I was very attentive in view of my season with Madrid.”
His talk with Deschamps: “He explained it to me himself, of course. We talked a lot and said a lot to each other. Things we had to say to each other for a long time. It was a good talk and there were important things. Today I am on the list, so the discussion was good. We saw each other. We were face to face, it was not a phone conversation. We had not seen each other since 2015, when I was last summoned. I always got along well with him and after three minutes, everything returned to normal. He never told me he would take me to the Eurocup. It was a long discussion between men, what we said will remain between us. We talked about everything: football, life, family … What I got clear from the talk is that we had taken a big step together “.
The fact of wearing 19 and not 10: “You have to have humility all the time, being a beginner or old, big or small, always! It's part of me. Yes, I had a number before, but players came and took it. I didn't feel like reaching out and telling someone to give me my number. I take what there is. 19 is the number I wore at Lyon. And it is 10 + 9 “.
The six years without going to the national team: “It was difficult, especially at the beginning. Later, I told myself that it was an obstacle in my career. In each national team match, 25 out of 26 went with the national team in Madrid and I trained with the youngsters. But I couldn't give up. It was in those moments when I became better mentally and physically. “
Play with Giroud: “Of course, I saw Giroud against Chelsea. We spoke calmly between the two. He congratulated me on the goal I scored. The talk was good. I have played with him before, it will be similar to the same as before.”
Play with Griezmann and Mbappé and not with Vinicius or Mariano: “It will be different, because they are not the same players. But I adapt to everyone. Football is about adapting. You have to analyze the characteristics of each player. Mbappé has a different role from Griezmann, which is different from Giroud, Dembelé or Coman… Everyone is different “.
If he will eclipse Antoine Griezmann or Mbappé: “No, I do not come here to be anyone's shadow or to take someone's place. They already know what it is to win. I come to bring my qualities to France.”
If you fear being blamed for a poor result from France: “No, I can't imagine any scenario. Look at the team that France has, they are world champions and runners-up in Europe. We are very confident in showing that we are world champions.”
The blank season in Madrid: “I do not agree that it is said that it is the fault of the group because we had 60 injured. At no time were we able to play with all our players. It has been a difficult season. But we reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, and we fought until the end in La League. We could have won it all, but we lost it. “
Zidane's support and his continuity: “Zizou has always been sincere with me. When I don't go, he is sincere and when I have gone with France, too. I respect him a lot because he is very direct with me. He gives me a lot of confidence on the pitch. Until now, Zidane is the coach of the Real Madrid. I don't see him leaving. He won't leave, you'll see. If he leaves, he leaves, but for the moment, I don't see a Madrid without Zidane. “
His possible return to Lyon: “At the moment, I don't want to go back. It is not the time to go back now. Now I play for Madrid, which is different.”